Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
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A few dedicated cover crop farmers are planting corn in wider 60-inch rows so they can get cover crops established early, between the V4 and V6 stages of corn growth.
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For farmers who raise organic corn and soybeans, weed control starts with crop rotation.
In this video, farmers share their strategies for rotating crops to interrupt weed cycles and suppress weed growth and reproduction. Their approaches include planting perennial crops like alfalfa; including cool-season, spring-seeded small grains like oats; or adding fall-seeded small grains like winter wheat, rye or triticale.
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Planting soybeans into a living cereal rye cover crop -- and terminating the cover crop after planting -- lets you maximize the benefits of cover crops: more biomass for weed control, nutrient retention and organic matter.
Jeremy Gustafson of Boone no-tills soybeans into standing cereal rye cover crops. In this video, he talks about the adjustments he's made to his soybean planter to aid in planting.
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Do you or someone you know have journalism or communications experience that could help farmers tell their stories?
This new, full-time position will work with PFI staff, members and partners to grow the impact of our members’ voices in their communities and in the media by coaching them on speaking and media interviews, and coordinating speaking appearances at events and in the media.
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As part of the
Labor4Learning program, Dean and Judy Henry at the Berry Patch Farm in Nevada are looking to hire an employee and share their years of farming experience.
“We believe it is important that aspiring farmers have a hands-on experience, in addition to study and formal schooling,” Dean says. “This affords a realistic, three-dimensional experience to help plan for their future in horticulture.”
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Celebrate the start of the 2019 growing season with other beginning farmers during an afternoon of good food and networking
in West Des Moines. Make new friends and connect with old ones while learning about each other’s spring projects, plans for the year and improvements from last year.
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Join one of six grazing groups getting together this spring! These groups will go on pasture walks and discuss spring grazing management, first cutting of hay, planting summer annuals and more. Meet and learn from fellow livestock farmers.
Each of these events runs from 4:30-7 p.m. and will have a meal provided.
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Thursday, May 9 |
Lamoni
Host:
Chad Hensley
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Wednesday, May 22 |
Remsen
Host:
Robert Alexander
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Thursday, May 30 |
Oxford
Host:
Doug Darrow
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Thursday, May 16 |
Lockridge
Host:
Tim Diers
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Thursday, May 23 |
Maxwell
Host:
Bruce Carney
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Sunday, June 9 |
Charles City
Hosts:
Wendy Johnson & Johnny Rafkin
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9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | PFI office
4:30 - 7 p.m. | Lamoni
4:30 - 7 p.m. | Lockridge
4 - 6 p.m. | West Des Moines
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4:30 - 7 p.m. | Remsen
4:30 - 7 p.m. | Maxwell
4:30 - 7 p.m. | Oxford
4:30 - 7 p.m. | Charles City
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Volunteer and mingle with PFI staff and members!
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We will be stuffing envelopes for our spring fundraiser mass mailing on Tuesday, May 7,
and are seeking volunteers to help! Please join us at our office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. We will be folding, stuffing and stamping letters. We will have tasty snacks from our farmers and prizes for volunteers. If interested, please contact
debra@practicalfarmers.org
or call (515) 232-5661.
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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.
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