Waukee Community School District, IA - Ag Mag

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Waukee Community School District Teaching Kids About Iowa Agriculture - Food, Farmers & Fun!

E N R I C H M E N T

Iowa

“Waukee Farm to School cultivates curiosity, connection and appreciation for food, health, agriculture and the local food system through interactive, integrated, and innovative experiences. We offer students and families space to explore their environment and the natural world, inspire awe, nurture lifelong nourishing habits, empower themselves and the community, and give them a place to belong.”

– Waukee Community School District Nutrition Department

Waukee Community School District Nutrition Department is proud to be participating in Farmers Market Days serving Iowa crops and celebrating local farmers.

Tomatoes

Apples

Butternut Squash

Cabbage

Iowa

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a very common crop in home gardens throughout Iowa.

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Popular Types of Tomatoes:

1. Cherry 2. Grape 3. Roma

Try planting some of your own tomatoes at home in the summer!

Tomatoes come in a variety of colors.

“Wolf peach”

93% of Americans grow tomatoes in their own garden.

Botanically, tomatoes are a fruit!

Over

10,000 Tomatoes are grown in ALL 50 states!

varieties of tomatoes.

Tomatoes are at peak harvest July – September.

Tomatoes are a warm season crop that love the sun.

Flint Ridge Flint Ridge markets produce grown from 10 Amish growers.

Flint Ridge is home to around 600 acres of farmland.

Flint Ridge is owned by Irvin Miller & his family.

Flint Ridge has been around for 10+ years.

All of the produce grown at Flint Ridge is organic.

Flint Ridge grows, packs & ships all of their produce.

Located in Kalona, IA.

Flint Ridge grows a variety of produce.

Flint Ridge washes all of their produce by hand after harvesting.

Iowa

Apples

Red Delicious apples were first discovered in Peru, Iowa in 1872.

Iowa is home to 1,000+ acres of apple orchards.

Iowa grows many varieties of apples.

21% of apples are juiced.

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One of the most popular varieties of apples in the U.S.

2,500 varieties of apples are grown in the United States.

All of the U.S. produces 250 million bushels of apples each year.

apples make 1 gallon of cider.

An apple blossom is the flower that comes from an apple tree.

An apple tree takes at least 4 years to start producing fruit.

Most apples are HANDPICKED.

Iowa

Deal’s Orchard Deal’s Orchard is a family owned & operated farm that was founded in 1917.

Deal’s Orchard was started by Frank Deal and has continued through 5 generations.

The Deal family!

Deal’s Orchard grows over 25 different varieties of apples.

Deal’s Orchard has 40+acres of apple trees.

1102 244th St. Jefferson, IA 50129

Award winning apple cider!

“Deal’s Orchard was built on hard work, perseverance & relationships with our customers.”

Iowa

Butternut Squash

In Iowa, butternut squash is typically in season from October through December.

2 types of squash: WINTER & SUMMER. Butternut squash is a type of winter squash.

Butternut squash grow on vines that can reach up to 15 feet in length.

Butternut squash grow to be around 10 inches tall.

Winter squash has much harder skin than summer squash.

Butternut squash takes around 110 days to mature after planting.

Squash are related to melons!

Squash are a type of fruit!

Butternut squash are in season in the fall & winter.

Butternut squash are known for having a sweet & nutty flavor.

Despite the name, winter squash grow best in warm seasons.

Lopata Gardens Lopata Gardens is a family-owned & operated farm that started 50+ years ago.

Lopata Gardens harvests, packs & ships all of their produce.

Lopata Garden is currently run by 2nd generation farmer - Allan Lopata.

Lopata Gardens grows a wide variety of vegetables.

Home to 400+ acres of land.

Quasqueton, IA Lopata Gardens was started by Allan’s father when he returned home from WWII.

All of their produce is harvested by hand to ensure the best quality.

Iowa

Cabbage

In Iowa, cabbage thrives when grown in the fall.

Cabbage is a “coldweather veggie”.

Peak season is from November to April.

Cabbage grows best in a lot of sunlight.

Cabbage is one of the OLDEST vegetables in existence…has been harvested for over 6,000 years!

An average cabbage plant is 4 6 feet tall.

Types of Cabbage: 1. Early 2. Late Early cabbage takes 45 days to mature, and late cabbage takes 87 days.

The most popular varieties of cabbage:

1. Green Cabbage 2. Red Cabbage 3. Savoy Cabbage

Organic Greens LLC Organic Greens LLC has been producing organic crops since 1998.

James Nisly is a leader in the Farm to School movement.

Organic Greens LLC was started by James Nisly.

“Produce with integrity.”

Organic Greens LLC crops are a part of many local school lunches.

Organic Greens LLC was inspired

by James Nisly’s love for his community.

Over

2316 133rd St. Kalona, IA 52247

Organic Greens LLC grows sprouts, greens & field crops.

Milk Iowa is home to around 240,000 dairy cows.

5.7 BILLION pounds of milk is produced in Iowa each year.

Nearly 98% of U.S. dairy farms are family owned & operated.

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Breeds of Dairy Cows:

ALL 50 states have dairy farms!

1. Ayrshire 2. Brown Swiss 3. Guernsey 4. Holstein 5. Jersey 6. Milking Shorthorn

The U.S. produces ~21 BILLION gallons of milk each year.

Holstein cows all have a unique pattern of spots!

1 cow produces around 6 gallons of milk per day.

The reason milk is white is because it contains “casein” - a type of protein.

Farmers measure milk in pounds.

Milk is the source of ALL dairy products!

Anderson Erikson Dairy Anderson Erikson Dairy was founded by Florida is ranked the #1 state Ivertomatoes.

Erikson & Andy Anderson in 1930. for growing fresh “Bettering the people and planet is a core part of what makes us a different kind of dairy.”

AE Dairy is currently run by Iver’s granddaughter, Miriam.

AE Dairy is committed to consistent quality & innovation.

All AE Dairy comes from Over Iowa LOCAL dairy farmers.

AE Dairy taste-tests their products weekly.

2420 E University Ave Des Moines, IA 50317

AE Dairy makes 200+ dairy products.

Iowa Agriculture

Cabbage

Corn

Oats

Soybeans