JOIN US IN CULTIVATING CHANGE
At Iowa Valley RC&D’s Grow: Johnson County Farm, volunteers are the heart of our mission to provide fresh, nutritious food to our community. Whether harvesting vegetables in the field or helping prepare produce for distribution, your time and energy directly support local hunger relief efforts.
No Experience? No Problem.
Whether you're new to farming or a seasoned gardener, everyone is welcome at Grow: Johnson County. All volunteers receive hands-on training to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and meaningful experience on the farm. We offer opportunities for individuals, families, and groups of all sizes and ages.
Ready to learn more? Click below to explore how you or your group can get involved.
Come grow with us!
(less than 5 volunteers)
(more than 5 volunteers)
About Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development (Iowa Valley RC&D) Grow: Johnson County Farm
Through the Grow: Johnson County program, Iowa Valley RC&D operates a farmer training initiative and food access program at the Historic Poor Farm. This program cultivates six acres of sustainably grown vegetables using organic farming practices that integrate local ecological systems, demonstrating how agriculture and ecology can coexist. Grow: Johnson County strengthens local food security by partnering with 11 food access organizations and Table to Table to distribute fresh, locally grown produce to food pantries, school lunch programs, early care centers, and elder care facilities throughout Johnson County. Since its inception, the program has donated over 250,000 pounds of fresh produce, with an annual harvest exceeding 30,000 pounds.
In addition to food production, Grow: Johnson County collaborates with farmers from the Global Food Project and the Land Access Program to build technical skills, share knowledge, and support small-scale, diversified farming operations. The program also engages the broader community through hands-on volunteer opportunities and educational experiences for schools, corporate offices, and individuals, deepening understanding of sustainable farming and strengthening Eastern Iowa’s local food system.
Join us for a day on the farm!