Need an extra boost while working on your farm business plan? Apply for one of PFI’s farm business development programs! |
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Getting a start in farming can be difficult, and sometimes you need a little guidance to keep you on track. Applications are now open for two of PFI’s farm business support programs - one for those just getting started, and one for more experienced farmers that are ready for analysis and their next steps.
PFI’s Savings Incentive Program (SIP) provides targeted learning and peer networking opportunities, offers business planning support and guidance, and provides up to $2,400 in savings match toward a farm purchase. The Savings Incentive Program is ideal for beginning farmers looking to build their farm business plan.
New in 2022, we are offering additional SIP start-up funds for farmers of color. This includes a $1,000 start-up grant at the beginning of the program and up to $4,800 upon program completion.
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The Farm Business Coaching Program is ideal for those with 5+ years of farming experience who are looking to grow their farm business. The program includes a current business assessment, and growth opportunity coaching.
Applications for both programs are accepted until Oct. 9.
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Whether you’re a beginning farmer or thinking about getting started, knowing the basics of risk management for your enterprise is essential. Don’t let the hour after a derecho, tornado or hailstorm be the first time you think about insurance!
Join the Franzenburgs at their field day to hear about their experience working with their insurance agent and rebuilding (and re-shaping) their farm after all their farm buildings and crops were flattened by the 2020 derecho.
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Sunday, Sept. 18 | 2-4 p.m.
6925 19th Ave.
Van Horn, IA 52346
Hosts: Eric & Ann Franzenburg; Calvin Frazenburg
(Photos: The remains of one of the Franzenburg’s greenhouses after the August 2020 derecho; Starting to put things back up in October 2020)
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Join Marie, Tika and fellow Global Greens farmers to learn about how they raise vegetables, use cover crops and plan to scale up their farms. Global Greens is an 8.5-acre urban incubator farm program run by Lutheran Services in Iowa, focused on connecting refugee farmers with land, business assistance and tech support. A fabulous potluck will follow the field day. |
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Sunday, Sept. 25 | 4-6 p.m.
4444 Fuller Rd.
West Des Moines, IA 50265
Hosts: Marie Andre & Tika Bhandari
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(Photos: Marie Andre & Tika Bhandari; Global Greens field day in 2014) |
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Along with our partner organizations, PFI is pleased to announce that the Iowa Local Foods Purchasing Assistance Program is now open for farmers and vendors! The Iowa Local Foods Purchasing Assistance Program will buy local food from Iowa's producers for distribution to Iowans in under-resourced communities.
If you produce local food in Iowa and are interested in selling your raw agricultural products or value-added products into the Iowa LFPA program, submit this producer registration form to receive more information on becoming an LFPA vendor. All local food farmers are encouraged to apply, including beginning farmers, smaller-scale producers, and farmers who primarily distribute through CSAs or share boxes.
Registration should take about 15 minutes; please have any relevant licenses, food safety certificates, and W9 forms available as you complete the form.
Products eligible for sale to the Iowa LFPA include: produce, grains, legumes, dairy, meat, mushrooms, eggs, honey, maple syrup, and value added products containing at least 51% locally-produced raw product. Products must be produced within the state of Iowa or in the immediate bordering counties to be eligible for sale into LFPA.
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BEGINNING FARMER RESOURCES |
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Check out these additional resources for beginning farmers |
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NCR-SARE’s Farmer Rancher Grant Program is a competitive grants program for farmers and ranchers who want to explore sustainable solutions to problems through on-farm research, demonstration, and education projects. Projects for individual farms are capped at $15,000; partner projects are capped at $30,000. Applications are due Dec. 3.
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Implementing agroforestry can be difficult, especially when it comes to transitioning land use, acquiring financing, and securing land tenure and access. Savanna Institute has compiled a series of videos and resources showing new kinds of partnerships between landowners, tree farmers, and investors or between landowners, community stakeholders and investors to accelerate widespread adoption of agroforestry practices. Check out some of these stories to find unique partnerships that might appeal to you.
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Heirs’ property issues have long been a barrier for many producers and landowners to access USDA programs and services, and this relending program provides access to capital to help producers find a resolution. The program’s benefits go far beyond its participants. It will also keep farmland in farming, protect family farm legacies and support economic viability. The Heirs’ Property Relending Program (HPRP) can help you resolve heirs’ land ownership and succession issues on agricultural land.
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In this episode, northern Montana organic farmer Doug Crabtree, and NCAT Agriculture and Natural Resource Economist Jeff Schahczenski, talk about one of their favorite topics — crop insurance. They discuss reform of Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and the particular challenges of crop insurance for a large, highly diverse sustainable production system like Doug’s Vilicus Farms.
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Apply for the 16th year of The Marbleseed Farmer-to-Farmer Mentorship Program! In this year-long program, newer farmers are paired 1-to-1 with a more experienced grower in order to move their farm forward, focusing on a specific production, business or quality of life aspect of their farm. Applications are due November 30.
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Hosted by: ISU Iowa Beef Center
9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Ames, IA
Visit our booth in the exhibitor area to chat with PFI staff and friends!
10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Des Moines, IA
FREE
Hosted by: JR Jenkins | Practical Farmers of Iowa
11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Wilton, IA
FREE | Bring a potluck dish to share! RSVPs for burgers appreciated by Sept. 30
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Hosted by: Tim Swinton | Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT) | Practical Farmers of Iowa
2-4 p.m. | Clemons, IA
FREE | RSVPs appreciated by Oct. 3
Hosted by: Celize Christy | Practical Farmers of Iowa
6-7:30 p.m. | online
(This is a BIPOC-only event)
Oct. 20: Webinar - Explore Farming: Establishing Your Purpose - 3-part series
Hosted by: Practical Farmers of Iowa
6:30-8 p.m. | Ames, IA
FREE | Stay tuned to PFI’s website for registration info coming soon
Hosted by: The Land Connection | Marbleseed (formerly MOSES)
Full-day workshops | Urbana, IL
$50/day | scholarships available
Registration required by Oct. 25
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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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