Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
Meet a Co-Hort: Kim Anderson
Located near Brighton, Iowa, Kim Anderson owns and operates Blueberry Bottom, which she describes as “a small, diverse, organic farm in southeast Iowa still owned and operated by family since 1894.” 
 
Why you grow horticulture crops, in 5 or fewer words: Create diversity on the farm.
 
What is something you’re excited about this year: Partnering with a tea maker and dabbling in blueberry leaf tea.
What do you wish you could change about your industry: In thinking about organic production, I would change the misconceptions about organic farming. 
 
Favorite PFI memory: Oooh, the annual conference potluck! For several years, I brought a blueberry cheesecake. One year, as soon as I walked in, someone working in the kitchen saw me and said, “Oh. My. Gosh. You’re back.” That stopped me in my tracks! The woman told me that last year, she missed out on my “amazing blueberry cheesecake.”
“This year,” she said, “I’m reserving a piece for myself!” 
 
So for the upcoming Pickles & Preserves Potluck, I think I have to bring a blueberry cheesecake! 
 

I can’t wait to get together at the potluck at the upcoming conference!
- Kim Anderson
PROGRAM UPDATES
Flower farming is one of the hottest trends in specialty crops in Iowa and across the country.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from new and experienced farmers from across the Midwest on Jan. 19-20 as a lead-in to the annual conference.
IN THE FIELD
If you haven’t yet registered for PFI’s annual conference, it’s not too late!
Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind event for sharing knowledge, building connections and celebrating agriculture in Iowa (and good food!).

This year’s event will feature 60-plus sessions on a wide variety of agricultural topics, 70-plus exhibitors, locally sourced meals and a spirit of curiosity and community.
The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement - and a requirement of PFI’s Produce Safety Cost-Share. ISU is offering remote and in person courses this winter. 

$20 for Iowa growers; $120 for growers from other states.
 
Do you operate a commercial apple orchard in Iowa? If so, plan to join us in Wilson’s Ciderhouse & Event Venue in Iowa City, Iowa, for the 2023 Commercial Apple Growers Workshop.

We’ll hear from regional experts, connect with other Iowa apple growers and take a tour of the orchard and cider facility - and do some tasting - with owner Paul Rasch.

Registration details coming soon!


This program funds local food purchases, pairing local farmers with community food access partners like food banks and churches. Visit the website to learn more and take part.

Producer registration is on a rolling basis, so you can still participate.
UPCOMING EVENTS
All events listed in central standard time
Upcoming PFI horticulture events:
Full Day | Ames, IA

Jan. 20-21: Conference - PFI Annual Conference
Full Day | Ames, IA

Feb. 7: Workshop - Commercial Apple Growers Workshop
Full Day | Iowa City, IA
Friends of PFI horticulture events:
Jan. 13-14: Conference - Great Plains Grower Conference
Full Day | St. Joseph, MO

11:30 a.m. | Iowa City

Jan. 26 & 27: Virtual Event - 2023 Organic Vegetable Production Conference 
Hosted by University of Wisconsin | Online

Hosted by University of Wisconsin | Madison, WI
Looking Ahead: Save the Date!

Feb. 16-17: Fair - Local Food & CSA Fair
Hosted by CULTIVATE Local Food Connections
Full Day | West Des Moines, IA 

Feb. 22-23: Conference - Iowa Specialty Producers Conference
Hosted by Iowa Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association and Iowa Wine Growers Association | Ankeny, IA

Feb. 23-25: Conference -Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference
Hosted by Marbleseed (formerly MOSES) | LaCrosse, WI
POLL
What excites you the most about the PFI annual conference?
The people
The sessions
The potluck
All of the above
Something else
Previous Poll Results:
What is the conference you’re most excited to attend this winter?
  • PFI Annual Conference Jan. 19-21 - 28.6%
  • 2023 Organic Veg. Production Conf. Jan. 26-27 Online + Feb 3-4 | Madison, WI - 28.6%
  • Iowa Specialty Producers Conference Feb 22-23 - 14.3%
  • Something else - 14.3%
  • No conferences for me this winter! - 14.3%
Send us your poll ideas! We want to know what YOU want to know. Reply to this email with your ideas for the next poll.
CONTACT US
Jacqueline Venner Senske
Horticulture Education Coordinator

Not yet a member of Practical Farmers of Iowa? Visit our Membership page or call 515-232-5661 to join today!