Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
The spring issue of "the Practical Farmer" is now online and will hit mailboxes soon. Read about the importance of oat variety trials, the mutual benefit for farmers and landowners of adding livestock to the land, a conference speaker's farm transfer story and much more.
#PracticalResilience
This page provides links to some resources we have found particularly useful, from reputable sources that are frequently updated with current information.

If you have suggestions for resources we should add, or you're unable to find something you need, please contact any of our PFI staff and we will do our best to assist you. 
See who's sharing their stories of resilience
Jenny Quiner of Dogpatch Urban Gardens in Des Moines is offering a new service to her customers this year, an online store.

Each week, she's providing food from her farm as well as local food from other farms to her community to those who sign up.
Tom and Maren Beard of Luna Valley farm in Decorah delivered "Resilience Boxes" to 40 doorsteps in their community. Subscriptions to the boxes sold out in less than 18 hours.

Boxes included meat from their farm, organic vegetables from farms near them, local honey, locally roasted coffee and beer from a local brewery.
NEWS
We might be unable to gather in person right now, but PFI’s email discussion lists are an excellent way to stay connected with other members of the PFI community.

Whether you have farming questions, equipment or livestock to sell, perspectives to share on relevant topics or need some ideas or encouragement, these email lists make it easy to stay in touch.
Will Lorentzen and Adrian White of Jupiter Ridge Farm in Garber is one of many trainer farms in PFI's Labor4Learning program. Will and Adrian are willing to hire a farm hand who is motivated to "dig in" and learn more about how to farm at a diverse vegetable farm.

"We have walked the path ourselves and think it is time we helped those who were like us back then. It will also be exciting and fun to connect with new farmer acolytes and share our skills with the right candidates!"
– Will Lorentzen and Adrian White
More PFI News
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 May 8.

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.

Join other beginning and aspiring farmers to take a quick break from farm work and virtually gather to socialize!

Our purpose is to create a supportive, upbeat space for farmers to share and connect during these times of uncertainty. 

Let's see who has the funkiest farm or ag-related shirt! Wear your favorite farm or ag-related shirt on the call when you join in. 

April 16: Meet-Up - Beginning Farmer
1 p.m. | Online

April 17: Meet-Up - Strange Times
1 p.m. | Online
April 24: Meet-Up - Strange Times
1 p.m. | Online

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

May 8: Meet-Up - Strange Times
1 p.m. | Online
IN THE NEWS
Members in the News
Gina Nichols of Ames was featured in an article in The Capital Press: Researchers, growers have 'superweeds' in their sights

Adam Nechanicky of Buckingham was featured in Wallaces Farmer: These Iowa farmers remain focused on soil health
PFI in the News
Meghan Filbert, PFI livestock program manager, was featured on NET, Nebraska's PBS & NPR Stations: COVID-19 Is Roiling The Beef Industry, But Some Small Producers Are Spared
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.