SWICO Rural Dev.


A huge thank you to the following merchants who offered gift donations for the Ringgold County Development Silent Auction Basket for the Rural Development Summit held in Red Oak on June 17th:

Aunt Jennie’s Attic

Country Blossoms

Great Western Bank

US Bank

Jamie’s Coffee Mill & Deli

Ringgold County Tourism

Local foods is economic development?
If the state of Iowa expanded production of 28 fruits and vegetables using only 16,215 acres to meet seasonal demand and then direct-marketed 50% of that production via producer-owned stores:

  • 657 farm level jobs would be created resulting in 26.3M dollars in farm labor income.
  • 98 stores would be started creating 672 retail level jobs.
  • 17.1M in retail level labor income would be realized.

Contact Lynn Adam, Coordinator

Southwest Iowa Coalition

Office: 712.623-5521

Cell: 712.621.1564

NEWS: For Immediate Release

Regionalism to Revitalize Southwest Iowa?

Local community development leadership, business leaders and individuals were invited to participate in the 2010 Rural Summit hosted by the Southwest Iowa Coalition (SWICO) on June 17th in Red Oak at the Red Coach Inn. The topic for the day was all about regional collaborations that have a proven track-record for revitalizing rural communities and is addressed by actual practitioners working in the field with decades of experience in the United States and abroad.

State Director, Bill Menner, USDA-Rural Development opened the day with an address about how regional priorities at the state and Federal levels are setting new priorities for the agency. The day then flows into information dissemination and discussion about: What successful practices across county and state lines can be modeled, How to target regional assets that can be marketed globally, What local governments need to be doing now to be responsive to opportunities and a look at local food product development as a possible regional asset to increase business and industry growth locally.

Don Macke, Rural Policy Research Institute (RuPRI), who is working around the U.S. and Canada, gave examples of what is working and analyze what is already in progress in our region. Paul Coates, Director of State and Local Government Programs and associate professor at Iowa State University has worked with county and city officials throughout 99 Iowa Counties and will facilitate an open discussion on the issue on practical governance and regionalism. Sandra Morar, Esq., with the law firm of McGrath North will address legal issues of local food production and how to work with policy makers. SWICO, through a generous donation, will also distribute bound copies the newest study by Dr. Mark Drabenstott, Past Silos and Smokestacks: Transforming the economy in the Midwest. Don Macke will also provide a social and economic analysis on our region with datasets purchased by RuPRI.

The Southwest Iowa Coalition is a grassroots, regional, rural advocacy nonprofit organization with membership throughout 16 counties in southwest Iowa. Members coalesce to advocate for policy and resources which are mutually beneficial and regionally appropriate. Members host summits when there is a sense of urgency to get information to rural communities.

Dr. Mark Drabenstott, Past Silos and Smokestacks: Transforming the economy in the Midwest

This book is a must read for all local and county business and industry leaders

  • What are the benefits for regional initiatives - from economic sustainability to policy advocacy?
  • What are some successful examples in Iowa, other states and even Canada?
  • Can an entrepreneurial system be the basis for a regional collaboration that benefits everyone and can food product develop serve as an instrument in that collaboration?
  • Can other states be included in a region?
  • What should local governments be discussing now to be prepared?

Sandra Morar, with McGrath North law firm, used time with the group to discuss how food product development could serve as an economic driver of entrepreneurial ventures. She discussed the reasons for processing to satisfy the market and targeting the needs of various customers such as schools, retail, brokers, etc. Options for processing she talked about included construction, contract manufacture, co-operative plant or toll arrangements. Legal issues on the product-side regarding quality, packaging and labeling along with those on the consumer side were addressed. Her many years of experience with food clients enabled her to brief the attendees on potential post purchase issues as well such as recalls and damage control for a regional brand. She concluded by giving some examples of case studies where she had been involved with legal lobbying to further educate Coalition members on what the process the organization could follow to support local producers.