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Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.

Take a look inside three Iowa dairy farms whose focus is on grazing and the soil. Beyond their land stewardship practices, these farmers are all doing something unconventional to add value to their farms and products.


Francis Thicke of Radiance Dairy near Fairfield, Iowa, sells milk, cream and value-added products like yogurt and cheese to local grocery stores and restaurants.


Kevin and Ranae Dietzel of Lost Lake Farm near Jewell, Iowa, add value to their milk through artisan cheesemaking.


And Erin and Torray Wilson produce milk at Seven W Farm for Wisconsin-based Organic Valley near Paullina, Iowa.



This video was shot during the production of our full-length film, "Livestock on the Land." If you haven't seen our film, you can watch it here.

NEWS

PFI's autumn magazine is now online

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Need some reading material to compliment your Halloween candy snacking? Our autumn edition of the Practical Farmer is now online!


This issue highlights farmers from diverse backgrounds and farming systems who are getting creative finding solutions to the challenges they're facing.


Read about the inspirational actions members and others are taking to improve farm, landscape and community viability in Iowa and beyond.

New research report: Cereal Rye & Triticale Variety Trial

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PFI's new research report on cereal rye and triticale varieties is now online.


Eleven cereal rye varieties and one triticale variety were screened at four Iowa State University research farms.


Across all sites and open-pollinated varieties, average germination was 94%. 


Learn more about the trial's key findings.

Sign up for our Fertilizer Yield Warranty Program

to reduce your nitrogen inputs

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Are you looking for ways to reduce nitrogen on your farm? We know the risk of lower crop yields is real. That's why we are pleased to announce our new Fertilizer Yield Warranty Program.


The program provides support and a yield warranty for farmers who reduce their nitrogen applications – saving them money and increasing their farm’s resiliency.


Learn more and apply here.

Apply for PFI's cover crop cost-share

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Practical Farmers' cover crop cost-share can help you get the money and technical support you need to seed fall cover crops. 


Join the 1,000-plus farmers who have already signed up to make covers a reality on their farms!


Don't miss this opportunity to build your soil health and make your farm more resilient. 


Apply today! 

MEMBERSHIP

Seeking volunteers at PFI

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Are you passionate about PFI and looking for more ways to get involved? Volunteering is a great way to connect with us and support our mission.


Our volunteers help around the office on a weekly basis with items such as filing, preparing mailings and data entry. We also rely on volunteers during our annual conference in January.


To learn more or inquire about volunteer opportunities, please call the office at (515) 232-5661, or email emma.liddle@practicalfarmers.org.

IN THE NEWS

Members in the News

Sam Spellman of Woodward, IA, was featured in Iowa Farmer Today: Central Iowa farms face another challenging year.


Larry Neppl of Marion, IA, wrote an article that was featured in No-Till Farmer: A Landowner's Responsibility


Michael Vittetoe of Washington, IA, was featured in two articles in Iowa Farmer Today:

PFI in the News

Practical Farmers of Iowa was mentioned in Supermarket Perimeter: Corbion funds 10% of Cargill's cover crop project

Have you been featured in the media? If you're a PFI member, 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: rachel.burke@practicalfarmers.org

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