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Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
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High-producing organic no-till has long been identified as the Holy Grail of soil health. But do you wonder how to make organic no-till work in a field crop system?


Join us Jan. 19-20 for "Organic No-Till in Row Crop Systems," one of our pre-conference short courses scheduled ahead of our official annual conference sessions.


In this short course, we'll hear from a variety of farmers and experts who are succeeding at using this method. You'll learn about:


  • successful adoption
  • the latest research
  • the necessary equipment
  • when organic no-till does and does not work for farmers


Whether you are strongly considering transitioning to organic no-till, are already in the process or are just curious, this short course is for you.


Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

NEWS

We're hiring a media relations coordinator!

Are you an energetic, creative storyteller with experience amplifying stories in the media? Practical Farmers of Iowa wants to talk to you!

 

PFI is hiring a media relations coordinator who can use their strong writing and interpersonal skills to help activate the media and drive the food and farming narrative.

 

Help us generate excitement and positive media coverage for PFI and our farmer members, apply today!

Apply for Landowner Coaching to create positive and lasting changes to your land

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Do you care about promoting soil health, water quality and increasing your farm's productivity? Then you're a perfect candidate for PFI's Landowner Coaching program.


Based on your farm's unique criteria, you'll receive a farm review report with a blueprint to implement lasting change. After the initial consultation, landowner participants may opt for additional consulting services as well.


Apply to meet with a professional farm manager today!

At PFI, farmers lead our research

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PFI's Cooperators' Program mission is to empower farmers to generate and share knowledge through timely and relevant farmer-led research.


Are you curious about an observation you have made on your farm? Do you want to conduct on-farm research to learn more? Practical Farmers can help you design a research project to help you get the answers you seek.


Interested? Contact Stefan Gailans at

stefan.gailans@practicalfarmers.org or (515) 232-5661.

New research report: "Living Mulch for Pathway Weed Management in Bell Peppers"

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Vegetable farmers have begun to experiment with living mulches to suppress weeds due to issues sourcing weed-seed free straw and corn stover.


In this experiment, Kate Edwards and Mark Quee compared the use of a living mulch with either rye straw or landscape fabric. Based on previous observations, both farmers hypothesized that pepper yield would be lower where living mulch was planted between rows.


Find out if their hypothesis was correct in our latest report.

New research report: "Pruning vs. Caging Heirloom Tomatoes in High Tunnel"

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Single or double-leader pruning are standard management for high tunnel heirloom tomatoes. Lee Matteson, however, wondered if caging heirlooms tomatoes and not pruning them would produce a greater quantity of fruit and reduce labor compared to his usual practice of single-leader pruning.


Was Lee's hunch was correct? Find out how he plans to grow tomatoes in the future.

Bundle up with PFI gear

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It's cold outside! Show your support of PFI and stay warm at the same time.


We have stocking caps, hoodies and long-sleeved shirts to keep you cozy. Do you need a holiday gift for the farmer in your life? Order today to get your PFI merch by Christmas!

MEMBERSHIP

Support PFI with a year-end donation

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Practical Farmers of Iowa is here for you – our network of farmers, members and individuals who want to help build more resilient farms and communities.


We are a farmer-led organization that listens to our network to produce quality programs and resources that address your needs and interests.


Please, make a year-end financial contribution to PFI today. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, your tax-deductible donations enable us to continue our important work.

Donate today
IN THE NEWS

Members in the News

Seth and Christy Watkins of Clarinda, IA, received Sand County Foundation's Leopold Conservation Award: Iowa 2022 Pinhook Farm Clarinda, IA Leopold Conservation Award Recipient


Matt Vermeersch of Council Bluffs, IA, was featured in The Daily Nonpareil: Vermeersch needs votes in competition for young farmers


Amy and Andrew Phelps of Guttenberg, IA, were featured in Courier Press: Phelps Farm offers winter produce and tulip bouquets


Hannah Breckbill and Emily Fagan of Decorah, IA, and Jon Yagla of Iowa City, IA, were featured in Horti Daily: Farmer-led research explores overwintering salad greens

PFI in the News

Practical Farmers of Iowa was featured in Crop Producer: Managing Winter Cover Crops in Corn and Soybean Cropping Systems

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

Donate today
Join Practical Farmers

Love Practical News? Sign up for our specialty email newsletters. In addition to our weekly email newsletter, Practical News, we also publish five monthly newsletters each focused on a different farming specialty.

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