Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
Emma Johnson, of Buffalo Ridge Orchard, speaks to a group of attendees at her field day near Central City in 2016. She and Marcus Johnson will host a virtual field day covering food safety and packhouse management on June 2.

Their field day is one of several coming up in the next several days as our 2020 field day season gets underway.

Our season launch will take place on May 30, with a virtual field day hosted by Roger and Mary Knutson, and their son-in-law Jacob Bolson. They will share their experience with equipment and automation tools for mechanical weed control in organic systems . You'll also have a chance to see a live cultivation demonstration in organic corn.

While the virtual format means our field days will look different this year, we are confident these events will help you stay connected as you learn from one another about production, business and conservation strategies. We look forward to seeing you online at a PFI field day!
#PracticalResilience
S ee who's sharing their resilience stories this week!
Kate Solko of Root To Rise Farm in Ames is getting a start on her on-farm research project with our Cooperators' Program.

Kate is looking to improve winter squash harvests by figuring out the best time to remove row covers, which are meant to protect the squash plants from insect damage.
NEWS
Zach Knutson of Greenbelt Farms in Meservey is one of several trainer farms in PFI's Labor4Learning program. Zach is eager to hire a farm manager trainee who is motivated to learn about renovating pastures, raising beef cows and starting a meat goat enterprise. 

"Our farm is expanding this season and we are in need of additional help. We would like to find a person with drive and passion for the types of enterprises we want to grow. "
- Zach Knutson
UPCOMING EVENTS
Field day season is right around the corner
Check out our full slate of 2020 field days. Details and registration for all events will be available in next week's issue of "Practical News." In the meantime, we're showcasing the first few events of the season coming up in late May and early June.
Hosted by: Roger and Mary Knutson & Jacob Bolson
May 30 | 9-10 a.m.

Hosted by:  Alan Zellmer
June 2 | 10-11 a.m.

Hosted by: Emma and Marcus Johnson
June 2 | 12:30 - 1:05 p.m.

Hosted by: Levi Lyle
June 2 | 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Hosted by: Jordan and Whitney Clasen
June 3 | 12:30 p.m.
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 June 12.

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.

May 21:  Meet-Up -  Beginning Farmer
1 p.m. | Online

May 22:  Meet-Up -  Strange Times
1 p.m. | Online

May 29:  Meet-Up -  Strange Times
1 p.m. | Online

May 30: Virtual Field Day - Mechanical Weed Control
9-10 a.m. | Online

June 2: Virtual Field Day - Benefits of Rye
10-11 a.m. | Online
June 2: Virtual Field Day - Food Safety
12:30-1:05 p.m. | Online

June 2: Virtual Field Day - Roller-Crimping
1:30-2:30 p.m. | Online

June 3: Virtual Field Day - Garlic Production
12:30-1:05 | Online

June 5:  Meet-Up -  Strange Times
1 p.m. | Online

June 12:  Meet-Up -  Strange Times
1 p.m. | Online
IN THE NEWS
Members in the News
Benji Deal of Jefferson and Milk and Honey (a restaurant owned by Ellen Walsh-Rosmann and Daniel Rosmann of Harlan) were featured on Iowa Ingredient on Iowa PBS: Pears

Steve Hopkins of Des Moines wrote an article that was featured on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' website: The First Earth Day: A Personal Remembrance
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.