On Wednesday, JR Jenkins of Pleasant Prairie Stock Farm, shared with attendees how he rotationally grazes cattle and sheep on leased pasture and cover cropped land.

JR also spoke about his experience with breeding and training livestock guardian dogs, how he direct-markets 100% grass-fed beef and lamb and how he runs a custom fence company.

Attendees also enjoyed a potluck lunch with burgers from JR's beef at his cousin's wedding barn, where they discussed agritourism.

There's only ONE field day left in the season! See below for more details, or check out our events calendar.

PFI welcomes Margaret Chamas' return to staff

Research report: Oat Variety Trial 2022

Want to reduce your nitrogen applications?

PFI has a new program to help

Sign Up for PFI's Explore Farming Series

Last chance to apply for two beginning farmer programs

The Savings Incentive Program is a two-year program that helps novice farmers create successful business plans. 

This program is ideal for aspiring and beginning farmers who are planning to get started farming, or have been farming for fewer than seven years.

Farm Business Coaching is a 14-month program aimed at helping you strengthen your established business through in-depth expert consultations. The process begins with a farm business assessment to identify areas of opportunity.

Applications for both of these programs close this Sunday, Oct. 9.

Apply for PFI's Landowner Coaching Program

Join us at our last field day of the season: Creating a Diverse Silvopasture Farm on Former Row Crop Ground

Oct. 8 | 2-4 p.m. | Clemons, IA

Tim Swinton will share how he’s turning his 11 acres of former row crop farmland into a highly diverse farm that encompasses a variety of food crops and conservation practices. Newly established tree and shrub species will create a functional silvopasture system to support fruit and nut production, and provide grazing space for goats.

SILT will be on site to share how their landowner consultation program can help other landowners like Tim explore their land’s potential, and provide tangible ideas for tapping into that potential.

Join us for our last field day of the season!

Members in the News

Dave Hill of Holy Cross, IA, and Mark Peterson of Stanton, IA, were featured in Ambrook Research: Most Farmers Need Second Jobs to Survive

John Gilbert of Iowa Falls, IA, and Wendy Johnson of Charles City, IA, were featured in the short documentary A Decent Home: Iowa Nice

Matt Russell of Lacona, IA, wrote an opinion piece that was published in Newton Daily News: Opinion: Iowa’s role in Climate Smart Agriculture

Paul Rasch and Sara Goering of Solon, IA, and Steve Bruere of Clive, IA, were featured in the Des Moines Register: Popular Iowa City business is planting roots in Cumming's agrihood with orchard, restaurant, cider pub

PFI in the News

PFI was mentioned on KMALand: Exchange helps match livestock with land

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: maggie.norton@practicalfarmers.org