The Community Food Systems Certification is a process-based certification that increasescapacity for food systems practitioners to work within community and developfood systems. The virtual workshops are centered around activities andnetworking with colleagues to learn a new framework for community food systemsdevelopment and focus on building new skills for facilitation and developingvision, mission and core values, tools for conducting community food systemsassessments, prioritization methods, evaluation techniques and projectmanagement and development. Participants who complete the course will receive acertificate of completion in Community Food Systems.

This is an 8-month course with approximately 14 workshop hours.

• Introduction to Community Food Systems teaches the Community Food Systems process utilized at Iowa State.
• Design Thinking teaches methods and practices for site observation, considerations for creative techniques for project development and various potentials of design related to food systems.

• Introduction to Community Food Systems teaches the Community Food Systems process utilized at Iowa State.
• Feasibility Analysis introduces concepts and types of feasibility studies. It teaches best practices for identifying existing business data and partnership considerations to keep in mind when starting a feasibility study.

• Introduction to Community Food Systems teaches the Community Food Systems process utilized at Iowa State.
• Economic Impact teaches a practice for conducting economic impact analysis studies which may be used for businesses, organizations or communities. Economic Impact module first reviews a tutorial for conducting an economic impact analysis of a food hub; following, participants will conduct their own study based on a project of interest. Data utilized in this module are updated regularly based on state census information.

• Selecting a rural living site
• Designing a homestead adaptable to lifelong needs
• Establishing or accessing systems for utilities including septic systems
• Understanding effects of seasonal weather and wind
• Minimizing damage by insects and animals
• Developing outdoor living areas
• Planning and managing a pond
• Planning and building driveways and roadways
• Establishing a routine preventive maintenance schedule