Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
We are excited to announce the roster of our first full, in-person field day season since 2019!
 
Livestock field day topics will include everything from cattle and poultry to hogs and sheep. There’s something for all interests this summer. All PFI field days are FREE and open to everyone.
 
PROGRAM UPDATES
Goodbye Meghan!
After almost eight years working with livestock farmers, Meghan and the PFI staff celebrated her last day in the office on June 4.

See Meghan’s message, below, and direct your livestock inquiries to Amos Johnson (amos@practicalfarmers.org).
The knowledge I've absorbed from all of you - through the discussion list, field days, phone calls and visits on your farms - has left me feeling incredibly grateful and like I've earned another degree in animal science & land management. The relationships we've created have helped me grow.

Thank you for sharing your passions with me. I am proud to be part of this community and contribute to a healthy landscape alongside you. Thank you for making my time at PFI fruitful and gratifying! 
 
Cheers to a fantastic grazing season, 
Meghan 
BEYOND THE GATE
This article is an engaging look at a new national certification program developed in the Dakotas. The Audubon society has a list of FAQs for producers interested in certification.

Here’s a PFI report on farmer-led research monitoring birds in rotationally grazed pasture.
This profile of the Thompson Ranch in South Dakota focuses on their success in restoring grassland through managed grazing. 

Curious if your land could benefit from a managed grazing system?

Use this linked scoresheet to help determine your pasture condition.
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 17 | Okoboji, IA

Join Kate Mendenhall for a tour of Okoboji Organics, a small certified organic family farm raising healthy food for local families.

We'll walk through the pastures to visit pigs, chickens, and turkeys and look at how they process poultry on-farm for direct sales.

June 24 | North English, IA

Come learn from Jason Grimm and the crew at Grimm Family Farm as they demonstrate step by step their new on-farm poultry processing setup.

This field day will consist of a hands-on live demonstration of processing chickens.


Due to on-farm logistics, attendance at this field will be limited - RSVP soon!
Hosted by: Kate Mendenhall & PFI
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Okoboji, IA

Hosted by: Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service
1-4 p.m. | Hager City, WI

June 21: Pasture Walk - Summer Pasture Walk
Hosted by: Great River Graziers/Kickapoo Grazing Initiative
10:30 a.m. | Viroqua, WI

June 24: Workshop - Native Warm Season Grass
Hosted by: University of Missouri Extension
8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Davisville, MO
June 24: Field Day - On-Farm Poultry Processing
Hosted by: Jason and Hannah Grimm & PFI
1-4 p.m. | North English, IA

June 27: Field Day - Grassroots Grazing
Hosted by: Iowa State University Extension
4:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. | Maquoketa, IA

June 27 & 28: Field Day - Regenerative Grazing
Hosted by: The Embarras Grazing Partnership
9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Hamilton County, IL

July 5: Pasture Walk - Summer Pasture Walk
Hosted by: Great River Graziers/Kickapoo Grazing Initiative
10:30 a.m. | Waukon, IA
POLL
How many PFI field days do you plan on attending?
Zero
One
Two to three
Three to five
More than five!
Previous poll results:
How do you keep track of your grazing plan?
  • Pencil and paper works for me - 25%
  • Spreadsheets! - 25%
  • Another way - 25%
  • I need a better plan - 18.8%
  • A grazing management app - 6.3%
Are you planning or hosting a livestock event? Do you want to host a livestock field day? Send the details to amos@practicalfarmers.org
Looking for more? Contact us today!
Amos Johnson
Livestock Education Coordinator