The summer magazine has been sent to the printer and is on its way to member mailboxes! In this issue, read stories about building soil health and communities, a success story with findafarmer.net, the joy of flowers and more.

On the cover of the summer issue, Landon Plagge plants soybeans into a growing cereal rye cover crop on his family farm near Latimer, Iowa. The cover crop will be terminated one week after planting.

Photo courtesy of Anne Plagge.

Brynnen grew up in Belmont, Michigan, on a small, diversified livestock operation.

She was a member of 4-H, competed in meat judging and exhibited cattle and pigs. These experiences sparked her love for livestock and agriculture and led her to pursue a college degree at Iowa State University.

The communications manager will join a dynamic team that together manages an impressive portfolio of work including several major print and digital publications; content for videos, blogs and more; graphic design and branding services; an extensive photo and video archive; robust media relations and farmer outreach work; and more.

This position is a unique opportunity for someone with strong management, writing and critical thinking skills who thrives in a fast-paced work environment and wants to be part of an organization where staff support one another and are dedicated to building resilient farms and communities, and an equitable food and farming system in Iowa.

As part of PFI’s Cooperators’ Program, Bill Couser, owner and operator of Couser Cattle Company – a 10,000-head feedlot and 5,000-acre row crop operation – evaluated finisher cattle performance when fed oats compared to a standard corn ration.

Bill will use the results to help him decide how and if he will diversify his cropping system in the future.

New pandemic-related federal premium for cover crops available to farmers who certify by June 15 – learn more during a webinar on June 7

Farmers who planted cover crops during the 2021 crop year, starting fall 2020 through spring 2021, may be eligible to receive a $5 per acre premium thanks to a new pandemic-related program by the U.S. Department of Agriculture if they submit the necessary paperwork by June 15.

The Pandemic Cover Crop Program, announced June 1 by the USDA, offers premium support to producers who insured their spring crop with most insurance policies and planted a qualifying cover crop during the 2021 crop year, which is a fall 2020-planted cover crop.

The American Farmland Trust will host an informational webinar on Monday, June 7, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. CDT, for farmers looking to learn more and get their questions answered. Register here.

We are launching our new Spanish email newsletter, "Sembrando Resiliencia" next week!

Once every other month – una vez cada dos meses – we will keep you informed and updated on all things PFI, plus other farming related information, pero en español!

¿Quieres estar conectado con Agricultores Practicos de Iowa (PFI) y otros recursos agrícolas?

Sembrando Resiliencia, es nuesto nuevo boletín electronico en español.

Did you know only 2% of insects are pests? The rest are beneficial insects that contribute to the farm ecosystem by preying on pest insects, eating weed seeds, recycling nutrients, aerating and building soil structure, providing pollination services and supporting other wildlife in vast food webs.

Join PFI member and farmer Jake Kundert and Xerces Society biologist Sarah Nizzi to hear about the decisions Jake and his colleagues have made on the Grow: Johnson County farm to benefit these native beneficial insects and other wildlife.

This year, we’ve planned a series called “Catching Up,” an ever-growing line-up of small, energizing, in-person gatherings on farms across Iowa. To keep our farmers, staff and attendees safe, each “Catching Up” event is limited to 15 attendees.

Practical Farmers of Iowa was mentioned in an article on the website of Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario: An Economic Case for Small Grains with Cover Crops

Celize Christy, next generation coordinator for PFI, was featured on KIOW: Future Local Farmers Aided by a State Program

Have you been featured in the media? Tell us when and where to find a link to the article, and we'll feature you in a future issue of Practical News.

Contact: tamsyn@practicalfarmers.org