Iowa Valley RC&D’s staff share a vision. An Iowa food system characterized by a vibrant ecosystem of farms, businesses, and the natural environment where thriving rural and urban communities are interconnected and sustained and all individuals are nourished.
Who We Are.
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Founded in 1998, Iowa Valley RC&D’s influence is grounded in community, partnerships, and collaboration as we train and support farmers, build local food infrastructure, generate new innovative markets, improve access of locally grown foods, and model and communicate the positive impact of a future food system that nourishes people and place.
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Iowa Valley RC&D inspires transformative change and leads in the development of farmers and food value chains toward a more collaborative, equitable, and resilient food system across Iowa’s communities.
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An Iowa food system characterized by a vibrant ecosystem of farms, businesses, and the natural environment where thriving rural and urban communities are interconnected and sustained and all individuals are nourished.
Meet the Team
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Jason Grimm
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Giselle Bruskewitz
SENIOR PROGRAM DIRECTOR
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Kaci Rottinghaus
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
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Emmaly Renshaw
SENIOR PROGRAM DIRECTOR
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Julia DeSpain
CREATIVE MANAGER
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Lisa Stark
FARMER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE MANAGER
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Teresa Kurtz
GRANTS + FINANCE MANAGER
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Phil Jahnke Sauer
VALUE CHAIN MANAGER
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Kenna Bell
BUSINESS EDUCATION MANAGER
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FARM OPERATIONS + TRAINING MANAGER
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Sarah Nelson
FARM COORDINATOR
Our Board
Geoff Mouming
Anna Hankins
Nick Benson
Natasha Wilson
Brandi Janssen
Andrew Hall
Alan Shumacher
Nick Pfeiffer
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President
Brandi has been involved in Eastern Iowa’s local food scene as a researcher and advocate since 2007. She is currently faculty in the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health in the UI College of Public Health and director of Iowa’s Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (I-CASH), a statewide coalition devoted to reducing occupational injuries and illnesses in agriculture. She has served on the boards of Field to Family, Local Foods Connection, and currently sits on the board of the Iowa Rural Health Association. She is author of the book, Making Local Food Work: The Challenges and Opportunities of Today’s Small Farmers, released by the University of Iowa press in 2017.
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Vice President
Anna lives in Coggon, Iowa and is the co-owner and operator of Over the Moon Farm & Flowers, specializing in pasture-raised poultry, Berkshire pork, and seasonally cut flowers.
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Secretary
Nick serves as the Executive Director of the Office of Community Engagement at the University of Iowa. He provides leadership at the university for community-engaged teaching, learning and research and building community partnerships. He has worked for ten years in various community engagement roles at the University of Iowa, including as Director of the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities and Director of Community Development and Outreach. Before his time at UI, Nick worked for the City of Iowa City in community and economic development and at Leff Law Firm. Nick is passionate about building partnerships that advance sustainable organizations and communities and has served on a variety of boards and committees, including with Summer of the Arts and Iowa/Minnesota Campus Compact.
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Treasurer
Andrew got involved with Iowa Valley RC&D through Board President Geoff Wilming. The two worked together at Quality Care and Andrew now works as the Accounting Manager at Brava Roof Tile. Brava prides itself on the use of recycled materials in their products. Brava’s roofing products are fully recyclable; keeping used building materials out of landfills. This is Andrew’s first time serving as a board member. He is a firm believer in supporting and uplifting local communities and organizations. Andrew loves participating in area events with his wife Kady, and daughters Vayda and Pearl.
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Board Member
Geoff worked for over 30 years in commercial landscape management for a large lawn and landscape maintenance firm in eastern Iowa. In this role, he oversaw prairie and pollinator installation, establishment and maintenance on corporate and institutional properties, and worked with area service clubs and municipalities in multiple Earth Day/Arbor Day tree planting projects. He is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist, past president of the Rotary Club of Coralville/North Corridor, and is Project Manager at Impact 7G in their Natural and Cultural Resources division.
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Board Member
Nick is the Vice President of Public Affairs with Think Iowa City. Nick serves as a liaison with municipal, county, state, and federal government representatives and agencies to advance the work of Think Iowa City and the tourism industry through strategic partnerships and funding with the end goal being to make Johnson County, Iowa, the best place to live, work, and play.
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Board Member
Natasha lives in Washington, Iowa and operates a family farm with her sister and parents 40 minutes south of Iowa City. Their farm West Fork Farmstead specializes in locally produced pasture raised pork, beef, chicken as well as eggs and honey.
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Board Member
Alan lives outside of Marengo and is a lifelong resident of Iowa County. He grew up on a family farm that rotated crops and is active in conservation practices in the surrounding area.