Urban and Organic Ag Programs Inspire the Next Generation at Local Food Festival
September 26, 2025September 25, 2025 | Graham Sandersfeld, Kathleen Delate
AMES, IA: On September 24, 2025, Iowa State University’s Main Campus came alive with the sights, smells and tastes of fresh, locally grown food during the annual Iowa State University Local Food Festival. Hosted by Farm, Food and Enterprise Development (FFED), the Office of Sustainability, and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the festival celebrated healthy living, sustainability and the power of local food systems.
The Local Food Festival welcomed students and community members for a day of outreach, engagement, and education.
Nearly 4,000 students, faculty, staff, and community members explored a wide variety of educational displays and sampled local products, connecting with farmers, entrepreneurs, and University specialists. The new Produce Pass Program, a partnership between Student Wellness, the SHOP food pantry, and the festival, gave students an interactive way to learn about local food, nutrition and food security. After earning three stamps for learning about local food at educational tents, students received a $5 voucher for fresh produce from participating vendors — helping reduce stigma around food access while boosting student engagement.
Visitors to the Urban and Organic Agriculture booth discovered the program’s online resources, the environmental and economic benefits of organic agriculture, and how to incorporate crop rotations and no-till production. Festivalgoers were eager to hear more about the program’s participation in the Midwest Transition to Organic Partnership Program, a USDA initiative fostering peer mentorship among organic and transitioning farmers. The new ISU Urban Ag hub provides information about innovative urban systems like vertical farming, hydroponics, and community gardens. Outreach specialist Graham Sandersfeld highlighted how Iowa’s urban farmers transform city lots into productive gardens, reduce food waste, support food banks, and strengthen local food systems.
Visitors to the Urban Agriculture booth learned about new resources for urban farmers.
The festival also hosted practical innovations like the FFED mobile food processing cart, a compact, food-safe prep station. Equipped with an industrial slicer, the cart can be deployed at grocers, produce stands, traveling kitchens and community events, making it easier to prepare and distribute fresh food. Read more about the project: [1] [2]
By bringing together education, organic producers, hands-on experiences and innovative tools, the Iowa State University Local Food Festival reinforced its mission: empowering healthier lifestyles, building stronger connections between campus and community, and demonstrating the many ways urban agriculture and organic local food systems can shape a sustainable future.
The mobile cart includes a food processor, cutlery equipment, an apple corer, and more.