Applications are now OPEN for the SIP class of 2023! Getting a start in farming can be difficult, and sometimes you need a little guidance to keep you on track. The Savings Incentive Program was created to help beginners establish viable, sustainable farm businesses. The program was structured with input from beginning farmers and direction from established farmers.
What will you get over the next two years?
Business Planning
Receive guidance with creating your own business plan
Network Building
Connect to a network of peers and mentors
Capital Investing
Savings investments will be matched up to $2,400
To be eligible, applicants must:
  1. Applicants must either be farming on their own now and have farmed for seven or fewer years, or have experience working for a farm business.
  2. Must reside in Iowa or farm in the state of Iowa or bordering counties in adjoining states.
  3. Must be a member of Practical Farmers of Iowa.
Applications are due by Monday, Oct. 12.
The next generation coordinator will be pivotal to using the resources and network of PFI to support aspiring and beginning farmers of color.

Our members have indicated their top priority is getting beginning farmers on the land so Iowa farms will continue generation after generation, providing healthful food, profits to families, healthy ecosystems and vibrant communities.

As we expand this work, supporting farmers of color in their efforts to get started farming will be a central part of our focus as we seek to amplify our efforts to create inclusive and equitable farming opportunities.

Typically a “no-visitor day” for any farm, this episode will offer a real-time glimpse of Jill Beebout and her crew on their most important day of the week, CSA delivery day.
After T.D. Holub's "Live From the Farm" episode ended on July 20, we kept the camera rolling! Take a look inside T.D.'s DIY walk-in cooler. Hear how he built it and the difference it makes in his operation.
Over the last 15 years, agritourism has helped Anna and Dave Geyer expand their farm and bring the community together.
In this episode, Anna takes us on a tour of the farm and shares how and why she and Dave started these business ventures, and the struggles they faced in getting started.
We have recently updated our collection of business, financial, production and technical assistance resources to help aspiring and beginning farmers further their business goals. You can access them by clicking on the icons below.

We will continue to build this list and add new resources as they are available. If you see any resources missing that you find helpful, please share them with us. You can send them to Celize Christy at celize@practicalfarmers.org.
Check out these resources for beginning farmers
The USDA National Agroforestry Center recently published highlights producer experience Marketing Agroforestry Products: Lessons from Producers, a free, 15-page PDF publication that features producer experiences and lessons learned.
USDA is seeking input from the public on how to invest an estimated $500 million of American Rescue Plan funds to improve infrastructure, increase capacity, and hasten diversification across the meat and poultry processing industry. Comments are due by August 30, 2021.
Tuesday, August 24 • 5:30–6:45pm CT • Online 

During this webinar with farm manager Nick Lubecki from Grow Pittsburgh's Braddock Farms, we’ll discuss effective hoop house design and assembly and consider how to select the right structure for your farm. We’ll also cover some common construction pitfalls to watch out for, review the pros and cons of different features, and discuss how these can impact your crop production.
Cost: Member: $5 Standard: $10
Funding Opportunities

Underwriting Exposed Business Competition | Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit
Are you a first generation immigrant business owner with less than $10,000 in sales during the past 12 months? You can apply to become a contestant to win $5,000! Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit is going to show aloud how bankers think when giving you a loan for your business. Contact Catherine Tran, IES Executive Director, at (515) 732-8433 for all details about the competition or application. Deadline for submitting your application is Sept 25, 2021. >Learn more and apply
Livestock and poultry producers who suffered losses during the pandemic due to insufficient access to processing can apply for assistance for those losses and the cost of depopulation and disposal of the animals. USDA announced the Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program (PLIP) will accept applications from July 20 through September 17. >Learn more and apply.
A total of $300,000 in grants for projects designed to improve the U.S. sheep industry. Proposals are due by September 15, 2021. >Learn more and apply
Thinking about ways to reduce tillage in your vegetable operation? Have you heard about “no-till” or “low-till” methods and are curious to see them in action? Join fellow low-till (and low-till-curious) growers for this summer web series!

This series includes virtual tours, demonstrations and presentations from researchers and farmers in Iowa and Wisconsin.

Learn what they do (and don’t do anymore!), how they do it and how they are increasing their implementation of reduced-tillage practices at their vegetable farms.

Week 3: Mulch-Based No-Till Practices 
Thursday, Aug. 19 | 4-5 p.m.
Presenters: Mark Quee & Jon Yagla

Week 4: Reduced-Tillage Practices at Humble Hands Harvest and Middle Way Farm
Thursday, Aug. 26 | 6-7 p.m.
Presenters: Hannah Breckbill, Emily Fagan & Jordan Scheibel
RSVPs are required for all "Catching Up" events to ensure we maintain the small, conversational environment these events are designed for.

Anyone is welcome to RSVP for a "Catching Up" event! To learn more about a specific event or to RSVP, email the PFI staffer indicated, or call the PFI office at (515) 232-5661.
Organic Cropping Systems: Rotations With Small Grains, Weed Management
Wednesday, September 1 | 10 a.m. – noon
Host: Daniel Rosmann & David Rosmann, Rosmann Family Farm | Shelby County
Profitably Raising Chestnuts and Pawpaws in an Agroforestry System
Wednesday, September 8 | 2-4 p.m.
Host: Kathy Dice & Tom Wahl, Red Fern Farm | Louisa County
Exploring a Community-Based Cooperative Model at Spring Lake Organic Farm / Explorando un modelo cooperativa basado en la comunidad en Spring Lake Organic Farm
Sunday, Sept. 12 | 2-4 p.m.
Host: Jenny Horner | Montgomery County

Going to Town: Opening a Local Foods Store for the Farm
Friday, September 24 | 2-4 p.m.
Host: Danelle Myer, One Farm & One Farm Market | Harrison County
Aug 19: Web Series- Mulch-Based No-Till Practices
4-5 p.m. | Online

Aug 20: Landowner Boot Camp- Strategies & Next Steps for Women Landowners
Noon-2 p.m. | Online

Aug 21: Field Day- Corn and Cover Crops
2:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Correctionville, IA
Aug 23: Field Day- Cover Crops & Saturated Buffers
10 a.m. -noon | Slater, IA

Aug 24: Live From the Farm- Diverse Forages for Dairy Operations
1:30- 2:15 p.m. | Online

6-7 p.m. | Online
Looking for more?
Greg Padget
Next Generation Director
(515) 232-5661
Celize Christy
Next Generation Coordinator
(515) 232-5661