Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
Our 2019 annual report is now available online. Inside, you'll read about our work to bring people together, connect ideas and farmers through on-farm research, expand our farmer network, broaden our borders and more. Read the 2019 annual report.
#PracticalResilience
S ee who's sharing their resilience stories this week!
Kate Solko of Root To Rise Farm in Ames planted sweet alyssum in her brassica field to attract hover flies and parasitic wasps.

Those beneficial insects help control aphids and other pests for broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts and other brassicas.
To fuel themselves through long farm delivery runs, Brian and Nancy Wilson of West Fork Farmstead ran on these sandwiches, which included bacon ends and fresh greens from the farm.

West Fork Farmstead offers pork, eggs and honey for delivery near their West Chester farm location.
ON THE BLOG
PFI member and forage agronomist for Albert Lea Seed, Margaret Smith, does a great job of summarizing the factors that influence frost damage in this blog.

At the end of the day, you just have to get out in the field and look to know how the cold affected your crop.
NEWS
From the spring magazine:
Dale and Marcie Raasch of Bridgewater Farm in Bridgewater, Iowa, are one of several trainer farms in PFI's Labor4Learning program. Dale and Marcie are willing to hire a farm team member who is motivated to learn about an organic diversified farm marketing produce and meat. 

"I had to learn on my own and would like to help others learn and share what I have learned to make it easier for their future plans. Since becoming certified organic in 2013, our farm has multiple enterprises trainees can learn from." - Dale and Marcie Raasch
UPCOMING EVENTS
Please join us during a one-hour virtual meet-up to talk about the ongoing changes and challenges specific to your farms and markets due to COVID-19.

We’ll be holding these every Friday at 1 p.m. through June 12.

Our intention is to provide a place for producers to share their insights, struggles, ideas and strategies to manage current and anticipated changes related to consumer demand, market access, labor and enhanced measures for food safety.

How are you adjusting to make your farm plan work at this time? How has this impacted your ability to start farming? Join us on Thursday, May 21 at 1 p.m for a virtual beginning farmer meet-up.

Take a quick break from farm work and join other beginning and aspiring farmers for a virtual get-together! Our purpose is to create a supportive, upbeat space for farmers to share and connect during these times of uncertainty.
May 21:  Meet-Up -  Beginning Farmer
1 p.m. | Online

May 22:  Meet-Up -  Strange Times
1 p.m. | Online

May 29:  Meet-Up -  Strange Times
1 p.m. | Online
June 5:  Meet-Up -  Strange Times
1 p.m. | Online

June 12:  Meet-Up -  Strange Times
1 p.m. | Online
IN THE NEWS
Members in the News
Maria Rosmann of Harlan, Tom Frantzen of New Hampton and Levi Lyle of Keota were featured in Morning Ag Clips: Organic ag production concerns amid COVID-19 - Organic producers see an increase in demand for local sales

Wade Dooley of Albion was featured in Wallaces Farmer: ILF field days step into virtual reality

Suzanne Castello of Grinnell was featured on All Things Considered on National Public Radio: Meatpackers Warn That The Coronavirus Outbreaks Might Lead To Meat Shortages

Barney Bahrenfuse of Grinnell was on America Amplified on National Public Radio: How COVID-19 may change our producer-to-consumer food chain

Andy and Betsy Boone of Calmar were featured in AgWeek: Efforts in Iowa seek to feed food insecure Iowans and keep food banks stocked

John and Janna Wesselius of Sioux Center were featured in the Sioux Center News: Sioux Center Farmers’ Market begins

Lee Tesdell of Slater was featured on National Farmers Union's website: Identifying Conservation Opportunities: Resource Stewardship Evaluation Tool with Lee Tesdell

Lee Tesdell of Slater was featured in Successful Farming's podcast: Cover crop champion

Dale Raasch of Bridgewater was featured on Iowa Ingredient on Iowa PBS: Asparagus
PFI in the News
PFI was not featured in the news this week.
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.