September Beginning Farmers News Update

As the cooler weather descends upon us, fall draws closer. This is a time when many farmers start to reflect on the past season to evaluate what has gone well and what lessons they have learned. As beginning farmers this is an important process to undergo as it helps you build a stronger and more vibrant business. 

At Practical Farmers we have a program that will help you do just this, our Savings Incentive Program. You will receive guidance from a farm mentor and earn up to $4,800 while you work to complete or update your farm business plan. 

Applications only open once a year for the two year program. Don't miss out, submit your application before the October 7th deadline. Check out below for more details. 

Also included in this update you will find some great opportunities to start or grow your farm, innovative field days and a few resources to aid you in your farming journey. As always if you have ideas or need some direction please don't hesitate to reach out. 

Sincerely,

Greg Van Den Berghe
Beginning Farmer Manager

Savings Incentive Program: Apply Today!
Hurry, you must apply by Oct. 7
 
The two-year program is designed to guide and support you to the next level of your farming goals.  Apply now to our Savings Incentive Program!
 
Questions on who's eligible and what SIP offers? 

Click here for the full scoop!

What makes a top-notch application?  Read this blog post for tips on how to create a successful application. 

Opportunities 
Small Farm Available, Hancock, IA
Great farm for a beginning farmer located 40 miles from Omaha/Council Bluffs. Available for rent is 1 0 acres starting this Fall/Winter, contains cultivated land (2.5 acres) that has been farmed using organic practices (not certified) for 8+ years. Farm equipment available for purchase or rent including hoop house, walk-in-cooler, tractor, etc.

For more information please contact Cait Caughey and Tyler Magnuson at [email protected].

Bob and Donna Atha of Appleberry Farm in Marshalltown are nearing retirement and looking for an eager young orchardist to help with their operation and possibly take it over. The orchard is 20 acres in town, made up of mostly 30 year-old trees. Bob and Donna would like to see their orchard continue to provide quality fruit for the local community.

For more information check out Apple Berry Farm. 
Resources
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued two draft guidances to assist industry with the implementation of the Preventive Controls for Animal Food rule and another to assist businesses in determining whether the activities they perform are within the "farm" definition. The guidances are available for public comment until November 23, 2016, for the first two and until February 21, 2017, for the classification guidance.

September 24,  9:30am - 3:30pm
Camp Dodge Freedom Center, 7105 NW 70th Ave, Johnston, IA 50131
Meet other farming veterans and learn from a variety of farm professionals. Register today for this free conference. 

October 4,  2:00 pm CST
This webinar is presented in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)- Science and Technology National Technology Support Centers.
The second of this three-part series will feature organic producers from the Central region discussing their methods of residue and tillage management. Local NRCS staff will present opportunities and challenges in implementing these practices in organic systems.  Speaker:  Kevin Kuhn , Natural Resources Conservation Service, Iowa, Resource Conservationist.

In This Issue
Upcoming  PFI  Events
Packhouse Tour and Harvest Efficiency
Sun, September 25, 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Decorah, IA 
Wed, September 28, 
1pm - 5pm
Maxwell, IA

Sat, October 15, 
1pm - 4pm
Mingo, IA 

Find A Farmer
Are you a beginning farmer looking for farmland to start or expand your operation? Are you a landowner interested in selling or leasing your land to someone who shares your vision for the future? FindAFarmer.net was created by Practical Farmers of Iowa to help maintain family farms and vibrant rural communities by facilitating the transfer of land from one generation to the next.

Contact Us
Practical Farmers of Iowa
600 Fifth Street, Suite 100
Ames, IA 50010


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