IOWA CITY

Change is spinning quickly at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm in Iowa City.

While work is being done on the healing trail at the Poor Farm and plans for a commercial kitchen are finalized, Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development was awarded a $2.5 million grant to establish a New Century Farm fellowship program at the Poor Farm.

The program, which covers five years, will help provide land access and build markets for beginning and underserved farmers. New Century Farm is based at the Poor Farm.

In an update given to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors at its June 28 work session, Jason Grimm, IVRC&D Farm Manager, said All American Concrete of West Liberty has begun excavating and other construction work on the healing trail, which will wind through the front portion of the Poor Farm.

Grimm also said that Axiom Consultants of Iowa City and Streamline Architects & Artisians of Iowa City are finalizing design plans for the commercial kitchen. The designs are expected to be completed in July, followed by a public hearing and the beginning of the bid process for construction contractors.

The Board was expected to approve a $105,000 Fiscal Year 2024 service agreement with IVRC&D at its formal meeting July 6.

“I’ve almost been here 20 years. When I think back to where the Poor Farm was sitting then and where it is now, it’s just remarkable,” said Supervisor Rod Sullivan. “It’s better than I could have ever hoped.”

Once the commercial kitchen is completed, the Poor Farm will host catered special events. Plans are also in the works to build an amphitheater on the grounds.

The Poor Farm is located off Melrose Avenue, west of Highway 218.

Social Media Policy

Supervisor Royceann Porter said a proposed update to the Johnson County social media policy for employees should also include elected officials.

“I’ve had stuff said about me,” she said during the work session. “If we disagreed in a meeting up here and you go on your own social media and Twitter or whatever and you speak something. We can all agree to disagree, but to go and put it on social media is hurtful to me because I experienced it.”

The proposed updated policy includes employees, and now elected officials, to use a disclaimer in their personal social media. Restrictions are tighter for those using county emails and website pages.

The new policy has not yet come up for a vote.

Board Action

At its June 29 formal session, the Board approved pay increases of 22% for supervisors in the county’s ambulance department.

The Board approved an enhancement of vacation benefits for county employees in collective-bargaining units, including the Sheriff and Ambulance departments, beginning July 1. New employees are entitled to three weeks of vacation and the benefit goes to six weeks in the 20^th year of employment.