Thank you to all who attended our 2022 annual conference last month! It was special to reconnect in person and we hope to see you next year!
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Beginning farmer-focused session recordings: |
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If you are curious about what it is like to participate in Labor4Learning, read DaQuay Campbell's story from the PFI magazine, "Starting From Square One."
The Labor4Learning program is designed for beginning farmers seeking employment and additional training in farm management and production skills.
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These free, online webinar-style events run weekly on Tuesdays from 7-8:30 p.m. CST through March 29.
Each focuses on a unique production or business management topic and is led by a farmer or subject-matter expert. Tune in to one of our remaining winter farminars listed below:
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8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Ames, IA
6:30-8 p.m. | Online
7-8:30 p.m. | Online
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9-11 a.m. | Decorah, IA
6:30-8 p.m. | Online
7-8:30 p.m. | Online
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BEGINNING FARMER RESOURCES |
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We have recently updated our collection of business, financial, production and technical assistance resources to help aspiring and beginning farmers further their business goals. You can access them by clicking on the icons below.
We will continue to build this list and add new resources as they are available. If you see any resources missing that you find helpful, please share them with us. You can send them to Celize Christy at celize@practicalfarmers.org.
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Check out these resources for beginning farmers |
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Online | February 9 - May 4, 2022
USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Cornell University are presenting a free, bi-monthly webinar series on hemp research. The webinars will occur every other Wednesday from 1-2 pm CT and include Q&A. The research team believes that by broadening the scope of training, education, and connectivity within the developing hemp community, they can create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for new hemp and empower hemp research by bringing diverse voices into the larger conversation. > Learn more and register
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Online | February 22
This session will focus on what mental health is and why it is important to talk about it within the agriculture community. Using the Stop-Think-Act method, this session will present a simple proactive approach to help take care of our mental health and be an ally for family and colleagues. Discussions will include stress, common stressors in agriculture, stigma and how to reduce risk. Tools and resources to help during a crisis will also be provided.
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Online + In-Person | February 13 at 2 - 4 pm
Who’s going to get the farm? And what are they going to do with it?
“Map of My Kingdom,” a play performance exploring issues surrounding farmland transition, answers these questions and more. Attendees will discover how to start conversations about their own farmland transfer situations and become aware of the need to plan for their farms’ futures. Attendees can tune in online or attend in-person at Chatterbox Brews in Tekamah, Nebraska. Registration is required. > Learn more and register
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Do you need your chickens or turkeys processed at a USDA facility? After 12 months of hard work, the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance’s poultry processing facility opened in November in Stacyville, Iowa. They have already processed 5,000 chickens under USDA inspection and we are starting to book dates for poultry farmers in 2022! For any farmers interested in poultry processing services in 2022 please fill out this form.
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Online | February 22, 2022
Discover ways to attract reliable and motivated employees that will help your business profit and grow during this free webinar. > Learn more and register
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Online | February 23
Increased cost? Need to raise prices? Worried about losing customers? This webinar will focus on the techniques and strategies for establishing and introducing pricing changes for both direct-to-consumer and business-to-business operations. You will learn what to say about your prices to keep positive relationships with your customers. Changing prices can be stressful. We will help you develop your long-term costing strategy and outline your communication plan for navigating these sensitive issues.
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Online | February 24
This session is geared towards employers and managers who will focus on what mental health is and why it is important to talk about it within the agriculture community. Using the Stop-Think-Act method, this session will present a simple proactive approach to help take care of our mental health and be an ally for family and colleagues. Discussions will include stress, common stressors in agriculture, stigma and how to reduce risk. Tools and resources to help during a crisis will also be provided. > Learn more and register
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Online + In-Person | March 7
Farmers market managers, participants, and sponsors can learn about recruiting and retaining farmers, vendors, and staff; dealing with increasing costs and regulations; marketing; budgeting; conflict management; and paperwork. > Learn more and register
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In-Person | March 10 - 11
This event will bring together farmers, processors, nonprofit organizations, retail buyers, and restaurateurs to learn and directly impact the development of the Regenerative Poultry Movement in the Midwest. Morning coffee and lunch will be provided for both Thursday and Friday. Be sure to fill out a registration form for each person attending the conference and select whether to attend the entire conference or just one of the days.
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Online | March 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2022, at 6:30 p.m.
If you are considering launching a small farm enterprise, but not sure where to start? This series will give you the tools to determine if farming is right for you. This four-session course includes exploratory discussion, curated research tools, and self-assessment activities provided by the instructors as well as a workbook for hands-on application both during class and at home. Registration is required and has a cost of $75. > Learn more and register
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American Farmland Trust administers this fund to help farmers: 1) Improve farm viability; 2) Access, transfer, or permanently protect farmland; or 3) Adopt regenerative agricultural practices. The fund will focus on farmers who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, women, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual. Applications will be reviewed and awarded in the order received, based on eligibility.
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The Farmer Veteran Coalition provides direct assistance to veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000. Veterans of any branch of the U.S. Military from all service eras and those currently serving are eligible. Applications are due by February 14, 2022. > Learn more & apply online
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Greg Padget
Next Generation Director
(515) 232-5661
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Celize Christy
Next Generation Coordinator
(515) 232-5661
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