The Local Food and Farm Program has selected four projects to receive funding in 2013 that move toward the goal of strengthening Iowa's local food economy. Nick McCann, Winneshiek County Extension and Outreach, received $9,400 to help local food businesses become more competitive through vendor-managed inventories.

AmeriCorps and FoodCorps service members in NE Iowa are celebrating National AmeriCorps Week, March 9-17. Every day, six service members give their service to area schools to ensure that schools continue to be a place of learning and growth and are an ideal environment to practice the belief that "Together, We Grow Healthy Kids!"

The Northeast Iowa Food & Farm Coalition (NIFF) is updating the Local Food Directory for Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties. This directory is part of the Iowa Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign. Directory items need to be received by April 1 to be included in this year's publication.

Ashley Christensen, Regional Safe Routes to School Liaison for Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission, has been awarded the 2013 Bureau of Nutrition and Health Promotion Excellence in Physical Activity award from the Iowa Department of Public Health.

The Convergence Partnership has awarded $50,000 to the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque to support its work building healthier, more equitable communities. This unique project is collaboration between the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative, ISU Extension and Outreach and CFGD.

The establishment of the Luther College Center for Sustainable Communities doesn't just consolidate all of the college's many sustainability efforts under one umbrella. It also will be a means of enhancing sustainability program outreach to Decorah and surrounding communities.

We all have busy lives with very little time. Web surfing is fun but can take hours going to visit every single website and blog you enjoy. Wouldn't it be fabulous if you could just get all the headlines of the most current stories from all your favorite websites and blogs in one place? Our partnerships are important, and we don't want you to miss a thing. Here are five easy things you can do to stay connected to the NE Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative.

The Elma Area Wellness Center (EAWC) officially opened on Sunday, Jan. 27. It's an endeavor that community members began discussing about a year ago, and to date, ample funds have been raised and hundreds of volunteer hours have been logged by members of this small town.

The W. K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) has awarded $900,000 to the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative (FFI) to be used in the next four years. The award money will fund current strategies related to school wellness, food systems, and active living with an additional focus on the caregivers of children from birth to age five in Northeast Iowa.

How fresh produce is handled after harvest has a critical impact on its shelf life, quality and safety. Farmers interested in learning about tools, techniques and philosophies for proper handling of their specialty crops are invited to attend a postharvest handling and food safety workshop hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach on March 8.