Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
You can now view Nicole Masters' keynote presentation, "Bottom-Line Benefits of Building Resilience," from our 2020 annual conference!

Get notified of all annual conference sessions as they're uploaded by subscribing to our YouTube channel.
NEWS
Flower farmer Gretel Adams provides a selection of cut flowers and pre-made bouquets for retail and wholesale.

In this farminar, hear her insights on the importance of quality control, determining markets and pricing and cultivating professional relationships.
In this trial, cooperator Sam Bennett grew soybeans following a cereal rye cover crop and compared three herbicide packages that varied in residual activity and cost.

Mark Quee presented the keynote address to Cooperators' Meeting dinner attendees.

In his remarks, Mark shares his ethos for why he farms the way he does and his experience as a teacher at Scattergood Friends School Farm.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join us next Tuesday, February 4 at 7 p.m. CST to hear from two Iowa vegetable farmers on organic weed management.

Andrew Dunham of Grinnell Heritage Farm and T.D. Holub of Garden Oasis Farm share their organic weed management philosophies, along with equipment and strategy preferences.
Dave Franzen is the extension soil specialist at North Dakota State University. He will join us to share his expertise on fertility for maximum return on investment in small-grain crops.

The call will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7. To join, dial (605) 313-5784 and enter passcode 239000# when prompted.
Meet-ups are a time for farmers to discuss the upcoming season, challenges, opportunities and ideas, and to network with other farmers over a cup of coffee and some breakfast. These events are free and open to all fruit, vegetable and flower growers. You don’t have to be a PFI member to attend!

All meet-ups are 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Feb. 4  – Waverly
The Wild Carrot

Feb. 6  – Logan
Logan Flours

Feb. 11  – Des Moines
Hoq
Feb. 13  – Algona
Feed Mill Coffee Co.

Feb. 25  – Solon
Salt Fork Kitchen
++Bonus: Flower meet-up

Feb. 27  – Ames
PFI office
Feb. 4: Meet-up - Vegetable Farmer
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Waverly

Feb. 4: Farminar - Weed Management
7 p.m. | Online

Feb. 6: Meet-up - Vegetable Farmer
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Logan

Feb. 11: Meet-up - Vegetable Farmer
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Des Moines

Feb. 11: Farminar - Cereal Rye
7 p.m. | Online

Feb. 11-13: Workshop - Holistic Management
Montour
Feb. 13: Meet-up - Vegetable Farmer
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Algona

Feb. 18: Farminar - Creating Habitat
7 p.m. | Online

Feb. 25: Meet-Up - Vegetable Farmer
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Solon

Feb. 25: Meet-Up - Flower Farmer
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Solon

Feb. 25: Farminar - From Cows to Pigs
7 p.m. | Online

Feb. 27: Meet-Up - Vegetable Farmer
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Ames
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Success at the silent auction
Thank you to our PFI members, staff and board members who contributed their time, skills and farms to our silent auction experience winners! 

  • Arlyn Kauffmann won two experiences: birdwatching with Lisa Schulte Moore and pheasant hunting with Nathan Anderson

  • Tina and John Bakehouse won a night of wild game cooking with Nick Ohde 

  • Dave Wells won an experience to learn how Adam Ledvina runs his meat goat operation

If you have ideas or are willing to offer an experience for next year, please contact celize@practicalfarmers.org or call (515) 232-5661. 
You can now download session slides from several presentations held during our 2020 annual conference.

MEMBERSHIP
PFI member survey – we’re halfway there
If you have a PFI membership, we need to hear from you!

If you’re a member, check your inbox for an email from “steve@practicalfarmers.org via SurveyMonkey” for a survey link specific to your membership.

All members who take the survey online between now and Feb.7 will be entered to win one of these 50 embroidered patches featuring PFI’s new logo!

Survey: Digital or Paper? Please help us save on paper, postage and staff time needed to mail, receive and intake your survey responses by completing the survey online. We will honor requests for a paper copy. Please indicate your preference below.
Indicate your preference for completing the member survey:
Please send me a paper copy of the PFI member survey
No thank you, I will complete the survey online
IN THE NEWS
Members in the News
Tim Palmer of Truro was featured in Wallaces Farmer: New oat, wheat markets debut in Iowa

Paul Mugge of Sutherland was featured in The N'West Iowa REVIEW: PFI honors Sutherland organic farmer
PFI in the News
PFI was not featured in the news this week
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.