Farmers Know Ingenuity: Making Every Season Work
From creative greenhouse solutions to hands-on fellowships. Oh! We're hiring, too.
The first cohort of the New Century Farm Fellowship began their training and fieldwork earlier this month. Our two fellows have already jumped into the season. Their first week included seeding onions, bok choy, and lettuce, building deep mulch beds, learning about walk-behind tractors, and beginning classroom instruction. They’ve also been introduced to their own market plots, where they’ll grow selected crops for their chosen markets this season.
Striking a balance between season extension and responsible resource stewardship is a line farmers are always walking. To kick off the 2026 season, our team engineered a cost-effective way to create the conditions needed for starting onion seeds. Rather than heating the entire greenhouse, we focused on a more targeted, energy-efficient approach (because farmers know ingenuity is the name of the game, in all seasons).
After exploring different ideas, we built a “sand table” system on a 4’ x 8’ trailer base. The setup includes a 2x4 frame, a layer of wet sand embedded with a de-icing cable for gentle, consistent heat, and a greenhouse plastic cover to trap warmth. This created a stable microclimate for seedlings and allowed us to delay heating the full greenhouse as long as possible, reducing propane use and overall costs.
Join our Team | Farmer Technical Assistance Manager
Iowa Valley RC&D is hiring a Farmer Technical Assistance Manager to support small and mid-sized farmers across Iowa in accessing conservation programs and implementing sustainable land management practices. This role works directly with producers, partners, and community organizations to strengthen resilient farms and food systems. Interviews begin April 5 until the position is filled.
Containers for a Cause
Iowa Valley RC&D is proud to partner with Can Shed through the Containers for a Cause: Drop & Designate program. The next time you drop off redeemable containers to one of their five Corridor locations, simply let them know you’d like to designate your redemption funds to Iowa Valley RC&D to support our work.
Volunteers Make it Grow
Ready to get your hands in the dirt while supporting your community? Grow: Johnson County offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for all abilities and skill levels at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm near Iowa City.
Now scheduling corporate groups for the 2026 season! We welcome groups every Friday, May through October.
To schedule a volunteer day for groups of five or more, contact Emmaly at emmaly@ivrcd.org.
Our work to build a more sustainable, resilient food system would not be possible without the generosity of our dedicated supporters.