Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
ON THE BLOG
Grass-fed and -finished beef requires a proper finish to ensure an enjoyable eating experience. A major issue in grass-finishing is the ability to produce a consistent, high-quality end product. An improper finish may be due to insufficient fat insulation and can produce off-flavored meat. Consistency and quality is influenced by a variety of factors including feed resources, grazing management and genetics.
The “black fly,” also known as buffalo gnats or turkey gnats, are small blood-sucking insects that are commonly found near rivers and streams. Wet pasture due to heavy rains this spring caused an outbreak similar to last spring's epidemic that killed off flocks of chickens.
NEWS
Video: Making the first cultivation pass in organic row crops
We finally got a "dry" spell, and field crop farmers around the state have finally been able to get some of their corn and soybeans planted. They'll grow quickly -- and for organic farmers, that means it's cultivation time.

Many farmers say the first pass with the cultivator is the most important AND the most difficult. Hear some tips and thoughts on when and how to make the first pass with the cultivator in this video.
Spring fundraiser update: We have reached our goal!
Thanks to your generous support we have surpassed our goal of $30,000, but the fundraiser isn't over yet.

We accept donations year-round! Help us continue to raise the bar and push us further past our goal. THANK YOU all for your generosity!
Josie Dubiel joined the staff last week as summer office support. She is a senior at Iowa State University majoring in mathematics and Spanish. Josie was born in Evanston, Illinois, and moved to Ames right before high school when her mom took over part of the family farm near Maxwell, where they now grow corn and soybeans.
Hannah Grosspietsch
Jace Hadish
Taylor Hintch
Grace Yi
An anonymous Practical Farmers of Iowa member generously donated a unique and valuable ring as a way to help us raise money to support our work. The ring is a size 7 and features a Michigan greenstone, three diamonds and 14-karat yellow gold. The ring has an appraised value of $1,400, but is being sold for $700. Proceeds from the sale of this ring will support Practical Farmers of Iowa.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, June 18 | 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Dyersville, IA
Hosted by: Wayne Brunsman

Tuesday, June 18 | 5 – 8 p.m. | Lewis, IA
Hosted by: Bob Zimmerman

Wednesday, June 19 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Peterson, IA
Hosted by: John Rock & Aaron Nelson

Thursday, June 20 | 3 – 5 p.m. | Boone, IA
Hosted by: Mike Salama

Thursday, June 20 | 5 – 8 p.m. | Keota, IA
Hosted by: Tim Sieren

Friday, June 21 | 1 – 3 p.m. | Algona, IA
Hosted by: Beany Bode and Joanne Roepke Bode
June 18: Field Day - Small Grains
10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Dyersville

June 18: Field Day - On-Farm Habitat
5-8 p.m. | Lewis

June 19: Field Day - Grazing Native Perennials
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Peterson

3-5 p.m. | Boone

June 20: Field Day - Diverse Rotations
5-8 p.m. | Keota

June 21: Field Day - Pumpkins and Produce
1-3 p.m. | Algona

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, OH

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.

July 10: Field Day - Farmland Owner Legacy Award
5 - 8 p.m. | Slater

July 11: Field Day - Cider Orcharding
2 - 5 p.m. | Solon
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Rory and Lynette Van Wyk of Winterset were featured in a Farm Aid blog: Passing on the farm: Land transition work from our grantees.

Rob Stout of Washington was featured in Wallaces Farmer: Farmer passionate about doing more for soil and water

Brian Corkill of Kewanee, IL and Sarah Carlson of Pleasant Hill were featured in Mother Jones: A “Bomb Cyclone” Blew Up This Year’s Corn Harvest
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.