Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
Attendees from a field day on Wednesday in Columbus Junction point out chestnuts. Field day host Roger Smith has 16 years of chestnut growing experience. He led the group through the orchard's understory and discussed harvest, handling, storage and marketing.

In 2014, Roger created the Prairie Grove Chestnut Growers cooperative to give Midwest family farmers raising chestnuts a ready and reliable market. Last year, Roger bought, sorted, bagged and sold over 84,000 pounds of fresh chestnuts grown on over 60 orchards in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois.
NEWS
Practical Farmers of Iowa will serve as a host site for two full-time Land and Water Steward with Green Iowa AmeriCorps, in partnership with University of Northern Iowa’s Center for Energy and Environmental Education. One position is filled and we are looking for a second AmeriCorps volunteer to join us!

The position is one of several Green Iowa AmeriCorps is currently recruiting for at sites across Iowa. All are full-time, 11-month positions that will begin in September 2019.

Read more about the program -- and if you're interested in the position at Practical Farmers, make sure you check the "Ames (LWS)" box under location.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, August 14 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Remsen, IA
Hosted by: Robert Alexander

Thurs., Aug. 15 - Noon-5:30 p.m. | Fri., Aug. 16 - 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Wintergreen Resort and Conference Center | Wisconsin Dells, WI

Friday, August 16 | 1 – 4:30 p.m. | Harlan, IA
Hosted by: The Rosmanns
Twelve breakout sessions throughout the day will include sessions on integrating animals with a small-grains operation, marketing small grains, the agronomy behind successfully raising small grains and more. Register online by August 12 or walk-in registration available the day of the event.

Join us in the beautiful Wisconsin Dells to learn about growing small grains and the benefits of an extended rotation!
Sunday, Aug. 18 | 5-7 p.m. | 29630 600th Avenue | Cambridge, IA
Join other beginning and aspiring farmers to take a break from the growing season and share a good meal.

Build your farming network and learn from others who have similar (or different!) farm ventures than you.

Caleb Akin and Noah Wendt started A&W Farms in 2006. A&W Farms feeds cattle, produces conventional corn and soybeans and grows a variety of organic grain. Hear from Caleb and Noah about their experience developing the operation from scratch.
Join us Thursday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Pearson Lakes Art Center, 2201 US-71, Okoboji IA.

Jorgen Rose, farm transfer and habitat coordinator with Practical Farmers of Iowa, and Gary Wright, farm management specialist with Iowa State University, will conduct an audience talk-back after the performance.

“Map of My Kingdom” is a play exploring the complex issues surrounding farmland transition.
Aug. 14: Field Day - Transition to Organic
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Remsen

Aug. 15-16: Conference - Small Grains Conference
Wisconsin Dells

Aug. 16: Field Day - Cultivating Farm Resilience
1-4:30 p.m. | Harlan

Aug. 18: Field Day - U-Pick Cut Flowers
2-4 p.m. | Donahue
Aug. 18: Social - Beginning Farmer
5-7 p.m. | Cambridge

Aug. 22: Field Day - Grazing Cover Crops
1-4 p.m. | Frederick, IL

Aug. 22: Play - "Map of My Kingdom"
7 p.m. | Okoboji

Aug. 24: Field Day - Organic Apple Orchard
10 a.m.-Noon | Adel
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Terra and Matthew Hall of Missouri Valley were featured in the Omaha World-Herald: One of city's most popular organic farms to bid farewell

Lyle Luzum of Decorah, and Andy and Betsy Boone of Calmar, were featured in The Decorah Newspapers: First-ever ‘SILT Fest’ in Decorah Friday

Wade Dooley of Albion was featured on Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network: Marshall County farmer enhances operation through cover crops
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.