Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
Normally, this section houses our photo of the week, but since this is the final "Practical News" issue of 2019, we wanted to feature our favorite photo of the year!

The winner, selected from all the images that appeared as photo of the week in "Practical News" this year, is a photo from Paul Mugge's field day in Sutherland on July 19 that covered on-farm prairie and beneficial insect habitat.

In this photo, Lydia English of the prairie strips project at Iowa State University, shared insight from their work at Paul’s farm and other farms across Iowa.

We chose this photo because we love the vibrant colors of Paul's blooming prairie strip contrasted against the ominous grey of the storm clouds overhead, the iconic wind turbines on the fields in the distance and the diverse crowd gathered at Paul's farm in the spirit of learning  – all facets of a vibrant Iowa landscape we value and are working to foster here at Practical Farmers of Iowa.
NEWS
Magazine is online

On the cover of this issue, guests walk through Jenny Quiner’s high tunnel during
the field day she hosted at Dogpatch Urban Gardens in Des Moines on Nov. 10. See more photos from the last half of our 2019 field day season inside.

You'll also find informative stories about why some members are using cover crops, how conservation easements can help in farm transfer, managing weeds in vegetable production – and more.
Through the Labor4Learning program, Dean and Judy Henry impart their knowledge to those who are eager to learn.

The Henrys have learned the importance of mentorship and knowledge-sharing over their 50-plus years growing fruit.

They have advised many new growers, hosted four field days with PFI and shared their knowledge through a range of formats and venues. In 2018, the Henrys became a trainer farm in PFI’s Labor4Learning program.

“We believe it’s important that aspiring farmers have hands-on experience, in addition to study and formal schooling,” Dean says. “This affords a realistic, three-dimensional experience to help plan for their future.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
Jan. 16-17: Conference - Short Courses | Ames
Jan 17-18: Conference - PFI Annual Conference 2020 | Ames
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Highlighting conference sessions on collaboration!
No matter what you grow, you'll find a session relevant to you at our 2020 annual conference.

Whether it's on-farm habitat, packhouses, growing small grains for seed, managing employees or telling your story, you'll have many opportunities to learn, get inspired and leave with practical advice to make your operation more profitable and resilient.

Below we are highlighting sessions about collaboration. Learn how these speakers are reclaiming resilience through farmer-to-farmer collaboration, working with neighbors and tenant-landlord relationships.
Join us at the annual meeting – new time!
This meeting is open to everyone; you don't have to be a PFI member to attend!

1 p.m. on Saturday | Benton Auditorium (Rm 195)

Please join us to hear a summary of Practical Farmers’ work in 2019 and hear plans for 2020 and beyond. Learn about Practical Farmers’ activities and accomplishments in 2019, a year in which we experienced substantial growth.

Board elections will also take place. If you are a PFI member, please come and choose the members who will help lead PFI forward!
MEMBERSHIP
There are other ways to contribute to PFI!
While we are asking you for financial support during our fall fundraiser, there are many ways you can help beyond donating.

You can join or renew your membership, serve as a leader for the organization (there are numerous ways to do this), attend our events, engage with us online and tell your friends and neighbors about us.
Make your voice heard; help guide our farmer-led organization!
Thank you to the 300+ members of Practical Farmers of Iowa who have taken the time to complete our 2020 member survey so far. We only ask this of you every three years, and the information we receive is critical to our programming and strategic planning.

If you have not yet completed the survey, we need your responses! Please check your e-mail inbox for the subject line “2020 PFI Member Survey – We need to hear from you!” Whether you farm, plan to farm in the future, or like to support the work we do, your feedback will help guide us into the future. Thank you!
IN THE NEWS
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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.