Local Foods

Explore local food, innovative farming practices, history and nature at the Historic Poor Farm Field Day & Open House from 4 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm, 4811 Melrose Avenue, Iowa City.

The Field Day & Open House event is free and open to all ages. It will feature historic and natural areas tours, a no-till vegetable demonstration from Iowa Valley RC&D, a Land Access Program Producers panel, the Global Food Project Market, local food trucks, kids’ activities, tabling from partner organizations and equipment exploration.

The Johnson County Historic Poor Farm and Asylum District, listed in the National Register of Historic Places since September 2014, is one of the few remaining relatively intact examples of the county farm model established in the 19th century. In 2017, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors adopted a 10-year plan moving toward a shared vision to preserve the farm’s history, educate the public, restore natural recreation areas and train beginning farmers. 

More information about the Historic Poor Farm is available at www.jchistoricpoorfarm.com.  

Johnson County strives to host inclusive, accessible meetings and events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. If you are a person who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, contact Julie Watkins at 319-688-8012 or [email protected] by Monday, July 28, 2025. Early requests are strongly encouraged.