We can’t wait to get back on the farm this field day season – our first full, in-person season since 2019.
At PFI field days, farmers believe in sharing their knowledge, discoveries, mistakes and successes so you can learn and grow your own operation.
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Whether you’re new to PFI field days or a yearly attendee, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere, a spirit of curiosity, a culture of mutual respect and farmers openly sharing their knowledge and experience.
All PFI field days are FREE and open to everyone. See the full list and RSVP at the link below.
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A year ago, PFI began meetings to identify ways organizations can support farmers of color in Iowa. In order to best support farmers of color, it was decided that we dedicate an exclusive space for people of color to convene separately from a white-majority group.
We are cultivating this space for people of color - both established farmers and aspiring farmers - in a way that is healing, supportive and connective.
These BIPOC-only meetings occur on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 6 - 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. In the future, we hope to have invited BIPOC speakers to the meetings, and host small in-person gatherings.
Our next Farmers of Color Meeting will be Thursday, June 9th. If you are interested in attending our next BIPOC Farmer Meeting, please contact Celize Christy at celize@practicalfarmers.org or RSVP at the link below.
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Hosted by: Practical Farmers of Iowa & Fred and Vicki Abels
11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Holland, IA
Hosted by: Practical Farmers of Iowa & Jeff and Deb Sindelar
1-3 p.m. | Newhall, IA
Hosted by: Practical Farmers of Iowa & Kate Mendenhall
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Okoboji, IA
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Hosted by: Practical Farmers of Iowa & Chad and Katie Hensley
4-7 p.m. | Lamoni, IA
Hosted by: Practical Farmers of Iowa & Monkia Owczarski and Amy Joens
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. | Des Moines, IA
Hosted by: Practical Farmers of Iowa & Jason and Hannah Grimm
1-4 p.m. | North English, IA
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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 Greg Padget at greg@practicalfarmers.org.
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Check out these resources for beginning farmers |
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Online Webinar | June 8
Beekeepers who started keeping bees as a hobby and who hope to turn their operation into a business will need to consider organizational structures, record keeping, and more. Join us for an informative webinar about how to transition from hobby to business! Join Jon LaPorte, Michigan State University Extension Farm Business Management Educator, for a presentation on how beekeepers can turn their beekeeping hobby into a business.
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Online Webinar | June 8
Interested in keeping sheep? Join Brenda Hsueh as she talks us through starting a sheep farm, as well as the challenges and benefits of integrating sheep into a vegetable farm. Brenda and her family run Black Sheep Farm; an organic vegetable farm and CSA, where they also raise sheep on pasture for lamb meat, fiber products, and tanned lambskins. Content is geared toward new farmers, but is open to all. You can attend individual events, or take the whole course. > Register here
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June 21 | 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Heartland Acres Agribition Center | Independence, IA
National Farmers Organization’s AgProfit Strategies program is providing producer education, outreach, and technical assistance to conventional cattle, dairy, and grain producers. These workshops feature knowledgeable speakers focusing on marketing and price risk management, farm business financial aspects, as well as production quality concerns for dairy, grain and livestock producers. For more information contact Austin Geist ageist@nfo.org.
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Webinar Recording
On April 20th, EFAO teamed up with OSCIA to deliver a webinar featuring Living Lab-Ontario farm cooperator, Ken Laing and Living Lab-Atlantic collaborator, Ryan Barrett from the PEI Potato Board, who discussed the results of their efforts to grow potatoes with cover crops. Learn about the details of these systems, including their successes, challenges, and next steps through short presentations about the trials followed by Q & A.
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For 10 weeks over the summer, The Savanna Institute apprentices work alongside agroforestry mentors on host farms in the Midwest to learn perennial farm management. This is your opportunity to learn hands-on agroforestry skills. Share our link to learn more with your network so they can apply before all spots are filled. > Apprentices apply here
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Online Course Series
For many people interested in agroforestry, at least part of their interest lies in being an active participant in an agricultural system that is more environmentally regenerative, economically viable, and socially responsible than the current dominant US agricultural system. In this new course from our Education Team, we invite participants to think about how agroforestry can create both beneficial environmental change and social justice. > Learn more & enroll
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Beginning and prospective farmers are invited to apply to LSP's Farm Beginnings, a year-long training program that focuses on the goal-setting, marketing, and financial skills needed to establish a successful farm business. The Farm Beginnings course creates a space for folks to name their vision, acquire the tools and skills needed to make it happen, and become part of a community of support to help them succeed. The course will run from November 2022 through March 2023, with some additional educational opportunities to take place later in 2023. The deadline for applications is Sept. 1. Early bird applications submitted by Aug. 1 will receive a $100 discount if you are accepted into the class. Scholarships will be available. For more details and to apply, > click here.
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The Livestock Conservancy awards a series of multiple microgrant opportunities that can be used for a wide array of projects that support rare breed conservation within the U.S. and are intended to support both individuals and organizations. Each grant may be used for expenditures including, but not limited to, producer training programs, fencing, facilities, supplies, specialized equipment, meat and egg production, Agri-tourism, wool processing, or product marketing. All Microgrant awards typically range from $500 - $2,000 and will be at the discretion of The Livestock Conservancy.
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Greg Padget
Beginning Farmer Viability Manager
(515) 232-5661
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Martha McFarland
Farmland Viability Coordinator
(515) 232-5661
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