Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
Our second field day in Illinois this season was hosted by Greg Rebman (pictured above on the left) of Frederick, Illinois. Greg and his neighbor, Luke Jones (right), have a profitable cover crop grazing partnership. Together, they have overcome challenges and combined their skill sets for mutual benefit.

Greg discussed the importance of supporting a young farmer and developing a healthy landowner-tenant relationship. Luke walked the group through some of his pasture ground and explained the equipment he uses to graze Greg's cover crop.

To learn more about grazing cover crops, read Iowa Learning Farms' fact sheet on grazing cover crops in the spring, and Practical Farmers of Iowa's contract grazing fact sheet.
ON THE BLOG
The PFI farmer-led model has been the driver of our work since our inception.

Our founders knew the challenges of acting and creating change first-hand, but they believed in the collective wisdom of their farming friends and neighbors. Sharing successes and challenges created a community of information-sharing and innovation.
NEWS
Applications are now OPEN for the SIP class of 2021 ! Getting a start in farming can be difficult, and sometimes you need a little guidance to keep you on track. The Savings Incentive Program was created to help beginners establish viable, sustainable farm businesses. The program was structured with input from beginning farmers and direction from established farmers.

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Either be farming on their own now and have farmed for five or fewer years, or have some experience working for a farm business

  • Reside in Iowa or farm in the state


Applications are due by Friday, Oct. 11.
Video: 2019 small grains conference
John and Halee Wepking operate Meadowlark Organics farm near Ridgeway, Wisconsin.

In this video, John gives an overview of the critical production and post-harvest handling requirements for a food-grade, artisan end product. He also delves into their process of establishing value-added, artisan, food-grade markets for their flours and other grain products.
Cereal rye is often used as a cover crop, but have you heard of hybrid rye? This versatile winter crop can be used as silage for cattle and as a feed grain for swine.

In this session, Molly McGhee and Dr. Becca Stokes present their research on the nutritional value hybrid rye can provide your livestock.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, August 24 | 10 a.m. – Noon | Adel, IA
Hosted by: Maury and Mary Wills
Aug. 24: Field Day - Organic Apple Orchard
10 a.m.-Noon | Adel

Sept. 15: Social - Beginning Farmer
5-7 p.m. | Carlisle

Sept. 17: Field Day - Establishing Pollinator Habitat
4-7 p.m. | West Branch
Sept. 21: Field Day - Rotationally Raised Poultry
2-4 p.m. | Iowa City

Sept. 22: Field Day - Beekeeping in Iowa
4-7 p.m. | Glenwood
MEMBERSHIP
Volunteers needed in the office next Wednesday
We are seeking volunteers to join us in the PFI office on Wednesday, Aug. 28 to help stuff envelopes for our fall membership drive. Volunteers are asked to join us between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and work will include folding letters, stuffing envelopes and affixing stamps and address labels.

This is a fun chance to meet other PFI members and staff. Snacks from our farmers will be provided.

If you have questions, or want to join us, please contact Debra Boekholder at debra@practicalfarmers.org or (515) 232-5661.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Tom Frantzen of New Hampton wrote an op-ed published in the Storm Lake Times: New technology can solve growing pesticide drift problem
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.