Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
Research and Field Crops Director Stefan Gailans presents Mark Quee of West Branch with Practical Farmers of Iowa's Master Researcher Award during our 2019 Cooperators' Meeting dinner on Thursday evening.

Bruce Carney of Maxwell was also honored with a Master Researcher Award during the dinner, though he was unable to attend the event. The award recognizes the efforts of those who have conducted extensive on-farm research and demonstration.

Award recipients have each conducted 20 or more on-farm research trials and hosted at least five Practical Farmers field days to share the knowledge gained over the years.

Mark and Bruce join 12 other farms or individuals to be honored with the Master Researcher Award since its inception in 2013. View all past recipients on our website.
NEWS
We are seeking experienced farmers who plan to hire an employee in 2020 to participate in our Labor4Learning program.

The program is intended to be beneficial for both parties: aspiring farmers get a paid, on-farm job and additional training on how to run a farm business, and the experienced farmer gains an eager-to-learn employee.
We are seeking an outgoing and driven professional to join our staff as next generation coordinator.

This new, full-time position will work with PFI staff, farmers, landowners and external partners to help beginning farmers succeed in establishing farm businesses; increase opportunities for youth and Latinos in agriculture; and strengthen PFI’s farm transfer program.
UPCOMING EVENTS
EQIP and CSP listening sessions next week
Practical Farmers is helping organize farmer listening sessions on the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

NRCS staff will be present to hear from farmers directly. Any individuals with experience with USDA working lands conservation programs are encouraged to attend.

Tuesday, Dec. 17 | Jefferson | 9 – 10:45 a.m.
Greene County Community Center
204 W Harrison St Jefferson, IA 50129
 
Wednesday, Dec. 18 | Oxford | 9 – 10:45 a.m.
Johnson County Conservation Education Center
2048 HWY 6 NW Oxford, IA 52322

Please RSVP to Jorgen Rose at jorgen@practicalfarmers.org
This three-day workshop, taught by North Dakota ranchers Joshua and Tara Dukart, will take a deep-dive into the holistic management planning process used to make everyday decisions.

This goal-setting and decision-making process equips farmers interested in more regenerative farming methods with the tools they need to improve their land, business and quality of life.
Tuesday, Dec. 17 | Oxford, IA
5-8 p.m. | RSVP

Join us at the final farm transfer and succession workshop with Mike Downey of Next Gen Ag Advocates and Farm Financial Strategies, Inc.

Mike will discuss the why and how of farmland transition, including farm leasing trends and how to communicate with family about your farmland transition.
Dec. 17: EQIP & CSP Listening Session
9-10:45 a.m. | Oxford

Dec. 17: Workshop - Farm Transfer
5-8 p.m. | Oxford

Dec. 18: EQIP & CSP Listening Session
9-10:45 a.m. | Jefferson
Jan. 16-17: Conference - Short Courses | Ames

Jan 17-18: Conference - PFI Annual Conference 2020 | Ames
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Our farmer-led research program is a fundamental part of our work and our history – and the results of trials conducted through our Cooperators' Program are helping farmers make more informed management decisions.

At our annual conference, you'll find an array of sessions where PFI research will be presented by farmer-cooperators. If you want to hear farmers' real-world experiences with crop production methods – or are curious about how farmers conduct on-farm research – these sessions are perfect opportunities to learn directly from other farmers.
We are looking for items or services for the silent auction!
The proceeds provide us with funds to stay member-directed. Please consider donating quality goods, services or experiences to help make our 2020 silent auction a success. 

Items that have raised a lot of money in the past include:

  • Services such as free rental of farm equipment for a day or free consultation with a farmer expert

  • Unique experiences such as a farm tour, shared skill such as a cooking class or overnight stay at a farm

  • One-of-a-kind gifts such as homemade quilts, woodwork and baskets

If you would like to donate to our silent auction please contact hannah@practicalfarmers.org or call our office at (515) 232-5661.
MEMBERSHIP
Practical Farmers devotes great effort to sharing our members’ knowledge with fellow members, as well as with the broader public. The more people know about concrete ways farmers and friends of farmers can improve our farms, food and communities, the more they will be motivated to take action.

More people are realizing the value of farmer-to-farmer learning. As a result, our membership is at an all-time high of 4,100 members. Your donation can help us reach more people.
PFI Members: Watch for the 2020 member survey!
It’s time for PFI members to provide staff and the board of directors with a snapshot of what you’re doing, how we’re doing to help you achieve your goals and what we can do for you moving forward.

We only send out our member survey once every three years  – and it's one of our most important undertakings. The data you share with us is critically important to help us to understand who you are, what you’re doing and what direction you’re headed in.

With the significant growth our membership has experienced since our last survey, it’s vital that you make your voice heard and help guide our member-led organization.

Watch your email to find a link to complete the survey.
IN THE NEWS
Members in the News
Dennis Carney of Mason City wrote an op-ed that was featured in the Globe Gazette: Carney: Iowa is leaking nutrients better left in its soil

Matt Russell of Lacona was featured in Politico: How a closed-door meeting shows farmers are waking up on climate change

Maggie McQuown and Steve Turman of Red Oak were featured in The Furrow: The Minimalists: One Iowa Couple Builds the Farmhouse of the Future
Mike and Mark Jackson of Rose Hill were featured in the Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman: Seeing the soil come to life

Lee Tesdell of Slater was featured on IPTV's podcast: Cover Crops, Century Farms and The Professor - Lee Tesdell
PFI in the News
Liz Kolbe, PFI's horticulture and habitat programs manager, was featured in The Scarlet & Black: Grinnell native Kolbe is honored by ISU Extension and Outreach
Practical Farmers of Iowa was mentioned in an article in Lancaster Farming: Winter Grazing Benefits Land, Farmers 
View more PFI in the News
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.