Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
PFI is proud to announce Sarah Carlson has been recognized as part of Field to Market’s 2020 Trusted Adviser Spotlight Series! Through her role at Practical Farmers of Iowa, Sarah works to support Iowa farmers in scaling their adoption of cover crops and other conservation practices that improve sustainability outcomes.

Field to Market recognized Sarah on June 24 during its annual Plenary and General Assembly Meeting, recognizing her outstanding leadership in implementing innovative approaches to scale conservation agriculture.

Congratulations to Sarah for her accomplishments in delivering sustainable outcomes for U.S. commodity agriculture!
NEWS
Kathy Dice buried black and green tea bags in four diverse agroforestry sites, one wooded site and one conventional crop field.

Mass loss of the tea bags indicates decomposition due to the microbial activity and could serve as a proxy for soil health. Read more in the report.
Lydia English joined the PFI staff this week. She will work with the strategic initiatives team to connect farmers with outreach opportunities, and she equips farmers with the resources they need to be effective advocates of cover crops and small grains. She will also assist with on-farm variety trials and perform cover crop consultations.

Each year, more than 1,200 aspiring and beginning farmers come to Practical Farmers of Iowa for help becoming the next generation of farmers. Support for these farmers is vital to grow our food, steward our land and keep our rural communities vibrant.

If you are able, we humbly ask for your financial support to help beginning farmers. Practical Farmers needs to raise $20,000 in savings matches by July 15 so we can enroll the next round of participants in our Savings Incentive Program later this year.

Many start farming with a passion to work the land, but lack the technical knowledge to build a business. To be successful, beginning farmers need to have knowledge and training in both business management and production.

Our Savings Incentive Program has helped 123 beginning farmers acquire these skills and launch healthy farm businesses.
Apply for Farm Aid relief payments
Practical Farmers is partnering with Farm Aid and Iowa Farmers Union to provide a limited amount of one-time $500 emergency relief payments to farm families.

Awards are intended as emergency relief for farmers and their families. Use of the funds is restricted to household expenses, such as groceries, home utilities, medical bills, counseling or other household expenses not directly related to the commercial operation of the farm or ranch.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed weekly until funds run out. Learn more and apply here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Check out our full slate of 2020 field days. Details and registration are now available.

Missed a virtual field day that you wanted to attend? There are a few ways to watch recordings:

Hosted by: Nathan Anderson
June 27 | 5-5:30 p.m. 

Hosted by: Doug De Bruin & Jake De Bruin
June 29 | 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Hosted by: Noah Wendt & Caleb Akin
June 30 | 10-11 a.m.

Hosted by: Martha McFarland, Kim Andersen & Regina Frahm
June 30 | 7-8:30 p.m.

Hosted by: Scott & Catherine Wedemeier
July 1 | 1-2:30 p.m.

Hosted by: Laura Jackson
July 1 | 6-7 p.m.

Hosted by: Levi Lyle
July 2 | 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Hosted by: Carmen & Maja Black
July 3 | 12:30-1:05 p.m.
July 14 | 7-8:30 p.m.
Presented by: Matt LeRoux

COVID-19 has created a challenging situation for conventional livestock markets and processors. At the same time, farms have a unique opportunity to market meat directly to consumers.

This farminar aims to equip farmers with clear and simple steps to start making bulk meat sales, such as quarters, halves and mixed-cut bundles. Learn from agriculture marketing consultant Matt LeRoux how to better understand consumer purchasing habits, meat pricing, product bundling and how to reach consumers.
June 27: Virtual Field Day - 60-Inch Corn
5-5:30 p.m. | Online

June 29: Virtual Field Day - Cover Crops & Forage
6:30-7:30 p.m. | Online

June 30: Virtual Field Day - Flame-Weeding
10-11 a.m. | Online

June 30: Virtual Field Day - Farm Succession
7-8:30 p.m. | Online

July 1: Virtual Field Day - Oats as a Cash Crop
1-2:30 p.m. | Online
July 1: Virtual Field Day - Botany Beginners Pt. 5
6-7 p.m. | Online

July 2: Virtual Field Day - Impact of Roller-Crimping
1:30-2:30 p.m. | Online

July 3: Virtual Field Day - 25 Years of Local Harvest CSA
12:30-1:05 p.m. | Online

July 10: Virtual Field Day - Garlic Harvest
12:30-1:05 p.m. | Online
IN THE NEWS
Members in the News
James Freeland of Corning was featured in The Adams County Free Press: Small towns of Iowa need to decide

Hannah Breckbill and Emily Fagan of Decorah were featured on F ood Tank's website: 24 LGBTQ+ Farms and Organizations Celebrating Community Through Food and Agriculture
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.

Contact:   [email protected]