A year ago, I was hurriedly packing my things in Ohio and preparing to move to Northeast Iowa, a place I had never been before. I’m not quite sure what I was expecting, but what I found was a welcoming community, wonderful friends, and dedication to creating a local, sustainable food system. I cannot express how much I have grown and learned in the last year. I am incredibly lucky to have been surrounded by such great leaders, teachers, and engaged youth. Continue reading
Author Archives: Katie
Sprouting Seeds of Change
![Photo credit to Janell Bradley at Fayette County Papers](http://iowafoodandfitness.org/wegrow/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/WC-Greenhouse-300x215.jpg)
Pictured: Briana Morey, Ashley Buzynski, and Katie Lay (Photo credit to Janell Bradley at Fayette County Papers)
A Day in the Life of a Resource Contact – Playing Hot Potato across NE Iowa
![The 2012-2013 AmeriCorps and FoodCorps Members, minus Erika. Unfortunately I couldn't find a picture of all of us!](http://iowafoodandfitness.org/wegrow/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/12-13-RCs-300x228.jpg)
The 2012-2013 AmeriCorps and FoodCorps Members, minus Erika. Unfortunately I couldn’t find a picture of all of us!
Dance Your Heart Out!
Recently, I had the chance to fuse two things I’m insanely passionate about: Dance Marathon and Food and Fitness. For anyone who doesn’t know, Dance Marathon (DM) is a nationwide effort to raise funds and awareness for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country. Dance Marathons are typically 12-48 hour events that happen at over 100 colleges. Many colleges partner with local elementary, middle, and high schools to host mini-marathons. I was lucky enough to find a group of students and teachers at West Central who were willing to put a lot of heart and soul into hosting a mini-marathon and dancing For The Kids! Continue reading
Healthy Snacks at West Central
North Fayette’s Final FEEST
FEEST, or Food Empowerment Education Sustainability Team, is a program that started in Seattle, and has spread to NE Iowa. Several Food and Fitness Youth Teams in the area hold FEESTs, which are times for students to come together and prepare fresh, local foods for themselves and members of their communities. Continue reading
April Snow Brings May Flowers?
After a brief power outage in West Union this morning from thunderstorms, and with snow on the way, it may not seem like the best time to be thinking about being outside in the garden. Luckily, the West Union Elementary has a solution! Continue reading