Karen Rodekamp

Karen Rodekamp has worked at Iowa State for over 19 years, taking a major role in Iowa State Dining’s waste reduction efforts. She played a significant part in helping get ISU’s Farm to ISU program off the ground at its inception in 2008 and has continued to play a key role in its success. Established to provide fresh local products to Iowa State students, the Farm to ISU program strengthens Iowa’s economy by purchasing from local producers, Iowa-based companies and organic and fair trade products. Other sustainability initiatives that Karen oversees at ISU Dining include the composting and multiple forms of recycling efforts at ISU Dining. In addition to her duties at Iowa State, Karen serves on the local Food at First Board. ISU Dining partners with Food at First, a local non-profit organization which supplies meals and food items to Ames community members in need.