The winter magazine is on its way to the printer and will be in members' mailboxes shortly.

This issue explores some of the many ways that Practical Farmers of Iowa members come together to learn, support one another and create community.

Stories highlight why members believe cooperative on-farm research is so valuable; how PFI members rallied to help fellow horticultural producers in the wake of the devastating August derecho; how PFI members have been coming together since our founding – and more.

On the cover, workshop attendees construct the endwall of a high tunnel at Laura Krouse’s Abbe Hills Farm during the high tunnel build at her Mount Vernon, Iowa, farm on Oct. 11, 2020.

The virtual version of the magazine will be available soon. In the meantime, catch up on previous magazine issues.

We are seeking a diligent, respectful and passionate person to serve as a strategic initiatives manager for the strategic initiatives team.

The strategic initiatives team works creatively to build collaborative connections between the private and public sectors that accomplish the goals of our farmer members on the broader Iowa and Midwestern landscape.

We are less than two weeks away from the virtual annual conference. We will bring familiar elements you expect of the conference – like practical, farmer-led sessions, roundtables and moderated panels on the issues that matter to you and your farms.

We’ll also have some new offerings, including youth sessions, lightning talks, farmer-to-farmer conversations, a night of storytelling and PFI’s first feature-length film, “Livestock on the Land.”

Tickets to the full conference are $25, but free tickets are available to those who are experiencing financial hardship – no questions asked.

Join us for three days of farmer-led sessions, roundtables and evening features delivered live Jan. 21-23.

Morning sessions run from 10 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. Evenings begin at 6 p.m. with a virtual happy hour, followed by the evening feature at 7 p.m. All times are Central Standard Time (GMT-6).

Rick Juchems of Plainfield was featured in an Associated Press article on Market Watch: U.S. government checks constituted 40% of farmers’ income in 2020: USDA

George Naylor of Churdan was featured in an article on Truthout: As Biden Signals “Agriculture as Usual,” Will US Farmers Follow India’s Lead?

Practical Farmers of Iowa was mentioned in Agri-View: Crop Briefs: Grant helps farmers improve manure management

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.

Contact: tamsyn@practicalfarmers.org