Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
On March 3, Practical Farmers of Iowa staff gathered at Alluvial Brewing Company in north Ames, Iowa, for a staff retreat and winter party.

In the morning, the group learnt about a tool that can help guide decision-making and clarify who needs to be involved. Staff then gathered with others in their department to draft short statements that meaningfully explain their work, and everyone worked on refining their PFI elevator pitches.

After a tasty taco lunch prepared by PFI member Donna Prizgintas, staff enjoyed games, fellowship and a tour of member Kate Solko's Root to Rise Organic Farm, situated just behind Alluvial Brewing.
NEWS
In a new podcast produced in partnership with PFI, chef Donna Prizgintas and farmer Lonna Nachtigal, both based in Ames, Iowa, explore their rural Midwestern food community with lively discussion and good humor.

On the DonnaLonna Kitchen show, their long-running and award-winning radio production-turned-podcast, the ladies discuss food, farming and recipes, and also offer listeners their advice and opinions.

Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! New episodes are released on Thursdays.
This award is granted annually by PFI to landowners who use their land to help the next generation get started, advance land stewardship and promote long-term sustainability of farm businesses, environmental quality and rural communities.

With this award, PFI calls attention to the important role non-operator farmland owners can play in the future success of sustainable agriculture.
Thank you all who tuned in on Tuesday to hear from Beverly Jones as she shared the basics of estate and succession planning, tools, terminology and some personal to-do's.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Join in for the final field crop farmer virtual meet-up on Monday, March 14 from 6:30-8 p.m. CDT.

For this meet-up, we'll hear from Willie Hughes and Erin Silva about organic production.

March 15 | 7-8:30 p.m.

Los productores de hortalizas probablemente estén familiarizados con los túneles altos y bajos. Pero, qué son los mesotúneles?

Escuche a Sharon Badilla compartir su experiencia de experimentos de campo, ensayos de demostración en granjas y experiencias de agricultores para optimizar los sistemas de mesotúnel en la producción de cucurbitáceas orgánicas.

Friday, March 18 | 4-6 p.m. | Ames, Iowa


Kate Solko will host this meet-up at Alluvial Brewing Company in Ames, Iowa.

These gatherings offer a chance to meet other fruit and vegetable farmers in your area, discuss plans and build community.
MEMBERSHIP
Our new “Access” membership makes it easy to join our network and reap the benefits of membership in PFI.

At $25 per year, this level is ideal for individuals who are current students, beginning or retired farmers or on fixed or limited incomes.
IN THE NEWS
Members in the News
Andrea Basche, of Lincoln, NE, was featured on the University of Nebraska Dept. of Agronomy and Horticulture website: Basche, Todd and Dunn receive Family and Friends Recognition Awards

Jenny Quiner of Des Moines, IA, was featured in dsm Magazine: Dogpatch Dinner Series Returns for Year Four

John Whitaker of Des Moines, IA, and Sally Worley of Grimes, IA, were featured in Successful Farming: Leopold Conservation Award expands to Iowa in 2022

Mark Schleisman of Lake City, IA, was mentioned in Cover Crop Strategies: What “Type” of Cover Crop Farmer Are You?
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.