Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
Randy Miller and his son, Practical Farmers of Iowa members near Ankeny, love cover crops so much, they decided to spread the message on their vehicles. Check out their new blackout license plates for their trucks!
NEWS
Friday, Dec. 13 at noon - Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m.
Ames, IA

If you are starting or thinking about starting a farm, you should plan to attend this annual retreat. In addition to networking with other farmers, you will set goals and create action plans for achieving them.

The retreat offers programming for both aspiring and beginning farmers, with experts and peers facilitating the sessions and assisting with work time. The agenda will be available soon! Register for the beginning farmer retreat today!
ON THE BLOG
Paul Rasch of Wilson’s Orchard and Maury Wills of Wills Family Orchard each have over 20 years of experience growing apples.

During the summer of 2019, Paul and Maury each hosted a PFI field day, inviting other growers and the public to join them in conversation about all things apples (and peaches and cider), covering topics including rootstock, scion varieties, irrigation, fence, pest and disease management, harvest and packing. Read the insights of both farmers in this blog.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov. 10: Field Day - Urban Farming
1-3 p.m. | Des Moines
Nov. 20: Field Day - Cover Crops for All
12-3 p.m. | Rose Hill
MEMBERSHIP
Join us for an upcoming volunteer opportunity
We are seeking volunteers to join us in our office on Thursday, Nov. 14, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., to help us with our annual fall fundraising mailing.

Volunteers are asked to come anytime during those hours. We will be folding letters, stuffing envelopes and affixing stamps. This is a fun, laid-back day and a perfect opportunity to meet other PFI members and staff.

Snacks from our farmers will be provided, and prizes will be awarded to volunteers. If you are interested, please contact Debra at (515) 232-5661 or debra@practicalfarmers.org .
IN THE NEWS
Members in the News
Wendy Johnson of Charles City and Ann Franzenburg of Van Horne wrote an op-ed published in The Gazette: Perdue's USDA should support resilient farming systems

Suzan Erem of West Branch and George Oamek of Honey Creek wrote an op-ed published in the Des Moines Register: Reduce the power of farm debt to expand producers' options

Matt Russell of Lacona co-wrote an op-ed published in the Des Moines Register: To achieve peace through agriculture, empower farmers to address climate change
Sandra Renner with Center for Rural Affairs and Greg Padget of Newton were quoted on National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition's blog: Final Awards Supporting Farmers of Color and Veterans Announced

Center for Rural Affairs was featured in The North Platte Telegraph: USDA to issue $16.2M to veteran and underserved farmers, ranchers 

Introducing new "PFI in the News" section
This new section will feature articles, podcasts, videos and more that feature PFI staff or the organization as a whole.
Alisha Bower, PFI strategic initiatives manager, was featured in a story on NPR: Diversifying Crops Is Good For The Planet. But Can It Be Good For Farmers' Wallets?
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.