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Lack Of Structural Support Crippling Local Foods, Farmers Say

Andrew Dunham
Melissa and Andrew Dunham, owners of Grinnell Heritage Farms, feel forced to radically change their business model in today's local food climate.

A few weeks ago, Andrew and Melissa Dunham of Grinnell Heritage Farms announced they will not offer their storied community-supported agriculture, or CSA, program in 2020. They're scaling back their operation, and selling off equipment. Grinnell Heritage Farms has been one of the highest-profile, most admired local food operations in the state, and this announcement has raised concerns for farmers and advocates of the  local food movement across the state. 

On this episode of Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe talks with Andrew Dunham of Grinnell Heritage Farms; Michelle Kenyon, director of Field to Family, a non-profit based in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids corridor; and Liz Kolbe, horticulture and habitat program manager at Practical Farmers of Iowa about the changes local food systems are facing, from climate change and economics, to consumer behavior. 

 

Guests Include: 

  • Andrew Dunham - owner, Grinnell Heritage Farms
  • Michelle Kenyon - director, Field to Family
  • Liz Kolbe - horticulture and habitat program manager, Practical Farmers of Iowa
Charity Nebbe is the host of IPR's Talk of Iowa
Katelyn Harrop is a producer for IPR's River to River and Talk of Iowa