Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities. | |
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It’s with a heavy heart PFI shares the news that Sharon Thompson, co-founder of Practical Farmers of Iowa, died on Wednesday, Jan. 18. Sharon was a humble person who impacted many people, including many of our members and staff.
PFI (and beyond) is full of stories of Sharon and Dick Thompson:
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Dennis Keeney writes, “In my opinion, Dick Thompson, now deceased, and his wife, Sharon, should be considered Iowa’s legacy sustainable agriculture farmers” in "The Keeney Place: A Life in the Heartland."
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In this 2019 PFI article, Maria Rosmann speaks about Sharon as a co-founder, acknowledging the role of partnerships in farming. “The organization was started correctly," Maria says. "Spouses were included as part of the farm from the beginning. It wasn’t Dick Thompson’s farm, it was Dick and Sharon Thompson’s farm. . . . Dick and Sharon really set the stage for inclusivity.”
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In an article from the Winter 2020/2021 PFI magazine, Vic Madsen says: "At first Dick and Sharon were PFI. Dick was president and treasurer, and Sharon was his right hand. When I called Dick in those early days, Sharon would always answer the phone, ask who it was and what I wanted. I teased her a bit about it recently and she asked if I felt I was being screened. We then both had a good laugh.” Read the full article here.
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In "Thompson Agriculture Alternatives," an iconic document of on-farm research findings published yearly by Sharon and Dick until his death, the Thompsons share their broader ethos about farming for people, land and community.
The Thompson family is holding a private service for Sharon. Sharon's obituary and memorial information can be found here.
Please keep the Thompson family in your thoughts during this time, and remember the lasting example of care, connection, curiosity and community that Sharon and Dick leave in their wake.
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Even if you can't make it to our annual conference this year, you don't have to miss out on all the fun.
We will be livestreaming the conference too! Tune in to what's happening.
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Share your conference experience on social media! | | |
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Are you enjoying our annual conference? If so, share your conference experience with us!
Tag us in your social posts:
- @PracticalFarmer
- #OnCommonGround
- #PFI23
See you there!
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Practical Farmers of Iowa is offering a cost-share program for those seeking to make on-farm food safety improvements.
To qualify, you must be a specialty crop producer in Iowa.
Applications will be accepted through Feb. 15, or until all spots are filled.
Learn more and fill out an application.
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Did you miss this week's farminar? Watch the recording of this farmer-led meetup!
You'll hear from Emily May and Karin Jokela, who work with Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. In their discussion, they share some of the key pesticide risks to pollinators.
Watch the recording.
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March 2 | Cedar Rapids, IA
What was formerly the Small Grains Conference and the Cover Crop Boot Camp is now one event: the Midwest Covers and Grains Conference!
The conference includes opportunities to network with small grains and cover crops buyers and sellers, and will have sessions for cover crop beginners and experienced practitioners.
Register today!
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Please take the PFI member survey | |
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Every three years, we ask all Practical Farmers of Iowa members to complete a survey that provides staff and our board of directors with a snapshot of our membership, and helps guide our future programming.
The information you provide us in this survey is vitally important for keeping us a member-led organization.
If you’re a current member of Practical Farmers of Iowa, the email address for the primary contact on your membership should have received an emailed invitation to complete the survey on 1/13/2023. Please check your inbox (and spam folder) for the invitation from surveys@practicalfarmers.org.
If you have any questions or would prefer to complete the survey over the phone, please contact Steve Carlson at steve.carlson@practicalfarmers.org.
We appreciate your effort helping to guide our farmer-led organization!
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Patti Naylor of Churdan, IA, hosted a CSMechanism video: Key issues to address data collection and analysis tools for food security
Martin Larsen of Byron, MN, and Tom Pyfferoen of Pine Island, MN, were featured in AgWeek: Southern Minnesota oats marketing group sprouts amid search for third crop
Kristine Lang of Brandon, IA, and Jordan Scheibel of Grinnell, IA, were featured in Morning Ag Clips: SDSU Extension launches new virtual vegetable production training series
John Gilbert of Iowa Falls, IA, is quoted in the Globe Gazette: Proposed pipeline's impact on North Iowa
Brian Dougherty of Dubuque, IA, was featured in Farm News: A new vision for agriculture?
Wendy Johnson of Charles City, IA, was featured in Iowa Farmer Today: Iowa group focuses on helping farmers through education
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Have you been featured in the media? If you're a PFI member, 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: rachel.burke@practicalfarmers.org
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