Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
Guests stand in a field of soybeans and recently terminated rye during a field day at Green Iron Farms near Keota on Thursday. Tim Sieren, a participant in Practical Farmers' Cooperators' Program, hosted a group of 40 attendees who came to view ongoing on-farm research trials and discuss Tim's extended crop rotation that includes corn, soybeans, rye and wheat. Tim also incorporates a small cattle herd and manure from his hog operation into his cropping system.
ON THE BLOG
Wondering about incorporating more small grains into animal rations but worried that they will be “floury” or “dusty”? Typical on-farm milling equipment used to grind corn can be too hard on softer small grains, leading to grain that is ground too finely. With a few simple tricks, you can avoid these pitfalls and create nutritious feed with small grains. 
NEWS
W atch the latest video in our organic weed control series
Cultivators were part of nearly every American farm for over a century, and there are many different types out there. They are still one of the most important tools on the organic row crop farm. In this video, PFI farmers talk about which types of cultivators they use in their operation, and why they like them. They also discuss what to look for when buying used cultivators.
Join us Aug. 15-16 in beautiful Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, to learn about growing small grains and the benefits of an extended rotation.

This year's conference features TWO keynotes and 12 breakout sessions, which will focus on small-grains agronomy, livestock integration and markets.  

The cost is free for PFI members, $40 for non-members.
**Please note that due to the July 4 holiday, our next small grains shared learning call will be held June 28.**
 
Craft breweries and distilleries demand more and more local grain every year and there's a lot of curiosity about what it takes to grow grains like barley for a small brewery or malt house.

Our next shared learning call, on June 28 from noon-1 p.m., will feature Nate Gieseke, who farms near Mankato, Minnesota. Nate was one of the first producers to grow barley for Schell's, a brewery based in New Ulm, Minnesota, when it had just started to source local grain for its beer. Nate's next project is launching a distillery in New Ulm.

During the call, Nate will share his experience working with a brewery and his own process of launching a distillery start-up. We'll hear his unique perspective as both a farmer and an entrepreneur.
 
To join the call, dial (605) 313-5784 and enter passcode 239000# on Friday, June 28 at noon.
Practical Farmers of Iowa is looking to hire a short-term contractor to build relationships with Iowa’s Latino community and increase their participation in our membership network .

We aim to connect with and learn about Latino Iowan farmer interests, as well as the barriers they face, so we can provide programming to help them begin and improve their farming careers.

This part-time, temporary contract position will run from approximately August 2019-January 2020, and will connect with Latino farmers, service organizations and Latino media outlets in Iowa to build relationships, learn about barriers and opportunities, and increase awareness about PFI.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, June 25 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Decorah
Hosted by: Wayne and Ryan Wangsness and Family

Wednesday, June 26 | 6 – 8:30 p.m. | Fostoria, Ohio
Hosted by: David and Ann Cramer
Join Sam Bennett for his cover crop field day on July 2 near Galva
PFI Cooperator Sam Bennett gives a preview for his upcoming field day on July 2 near Galva from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sam will focus on the benefits and challenges of diversifying the farm with cover crops.
June 25: Field Day - Organic Weed Control
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Decorah

June 26: Field Day - 30 Years of Small Grains
6-8:30 p.m. | Fostoria, Ohio

June 30: Field Day - Family Farm Diversification
Noon - 3 p.m. | Castalia

July 2: Field Day - Cover Crop Benefits
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Galva

July 2: Field Day - Beginning Farmer Bus Tour
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Multiple stops

July 10: Field Day - Farmland Owner Legacy Award
5-8 p.m. | Slater
July 11: Field Day - Cider Orcharding
2-5 p.m. | Solon

July 16: Field Day - Vegetables for Rural Communities
4-6 p.m. | Elkport

July 17: Field Day - Soil Health Workshop
9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Grundy Center

July 17: Field Day - On-Farm Prairie & Insect Habitat
10 a.m. - Noon | Sutherland

July 17: Field Day - Organic Row Crops
1-3 p.m. | Sutherland

July 19: Field Day - Commercial Hair Sheep
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Blakesburg
MEMBERSHIP
As Practical Farmers of Iowa continues to grow, we've transitioned to a more robust system for organizing our constituents' records. We’re excited to announce that PFI members and supporters are now able to manage their own account on our website in order to:

  • Register or RSVP for events
  • Join or renew your membership
  • View your past donation and membership activities
  • Donate
  • Update your contact information

If you are a current or past member of Practical Farmers of Iowa, or have had any monetary transaction with PFI in the past several years, you already have an account and can now create a login to access it.
Once you've set your login information, you can access your account anytime through the new Login button in the upper-right corner of our website.

Questions about setting up or managing your new account? Contact Steve ( steve@practicalfarmers.org) or Debra ( debra@practicalfarmers.org) on our membership team: (515) 232-5661.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Andy Dunham of Grinnell was featured in a story picked up by the Associated Press: Torrential Rain Leaves U.S. Midwest Vegetable Farmers Struggling With No Aid in Sight

Nathan Anderson of Aurelia was featured in DTN/Progressive Farmer: Corn Creates Paradigm Shift

Sarah Hargreaves of Aylmer, Ontario, was featured in Fruit and Vegetable Magazine: Cultivating curiosity with on-farm research in Ontario

Wendy Johnson and Johnny Rafkin of Charles City were featured on iowafoodandfitness.org: Farmers Learn About Grazing, Network at Joia Food Farm

Matt Russell and Patrick Standley of Lacona were featured in The Storm Lake Times: Pay farmers to capture carbon
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.