Want to see how someone else manages weeds mid-season? Curious to see another farmer’s watering set-up? Do you wonder what your land might look like 10 years from now if you start planting trees? Just looking for ideas, practical knowledge or new connections in the farming world? Join us at a PFI Field Day!

July 16: Biodiversity, Beneficial Insects and Building Resilience

Hosted by: Angela Smith & Erik Tryggestad in partnership with Xerces Society

10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Oronco, MV

July 17: Flower Farming With a Long-Term View

Hosted by: Meredith Nunnikhoven

2-4 p.m. | Oskaloosa, IA

August 4: Conquering Cucurbits: Success With Melons and Cucumbers

Hosted by: Nicole & Steve Jonas

2-4 p.m. | Boone, IA

August 9: Flipping the Table on Soil Health

August 9: Growing A Flower Farm

July 14: Farmers of Color Meeting

July 14: Flexible Leases (Part of the Land Connections Series)

July 25: Pasture-Raised Chickens

Hosted by: Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program

Whether you’re a landowner or a land-seeker, wading into conversations about your farmland goals is daunting. Rather than setting this complex process aside (again!), jump in at one of PFI’s Land Connection Meet-Ups! These meet-ups bring together landowners and land-seekers to learn from one another’s experiences and help new-to-the-field farmers get started with ideas and friendly conversation. Register here for a Land Connection Meet-Up.

If you’re a local food farmer, we want to hear from you! Come share your thoughts on how the Iowa Local Food Purchasing Public Assistance Program will (or won’t) work for your farm and any suggestions you have for improvement.

We’ll share the program design and incorporate your feedback to shape a program that truly meets the needs of the farmers and communities it is designed to serve.

Watch the 2022 PFI Annual Conference! Hear Katie Bishop of PrairiErth Farms discuss how they changed their market models, or Anna Geyer explain how to diversify your farm without overextending yourself (and more!). All PFI recorded content is FREE.

Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program | Ecological Farmers of Ontario (and partners) 

This web-based program is FREE and geared toward new farmers, but is open to all farmers who might be curious about a certain topic, wish to expand their farming knowledge, or in need of a refresher. >Learn more and register.

USDA Urban Agriculture Programs at a Glance | U.S. Department of Agriculture

This new resource from USDA provides a quick look at grant and loan opportunities available to beginning and urban farmers through USDA.

​Resources for EQIP and CSP | Center for Rural Affairs

One way producers can receive support for implementing conservation practices is through programs offered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). CFRA has created fact sheets addressing some of the common questions we’ve received from years of connecting with farmers and ranchers. In addition, check out this playlist sharing how to work with these farm programs.​

NCAT Regenerative Grazing Specialist, Justin Morris, developed a new way to illustrate how grazing management affects plants, soils, animals and even the economics of a grazing enterprise. In this blog, he introduces his contrasting Overgrazing Impacts Flowchart and Regenerative Grazing Impacts Flowchart.

Farm Beginnings Class 2022-2023 | Land Stewardship Project 

Beginning and prospective farmers are invited to apply to LSP's Farm Beginnings, a year-long training program that focuses on goal-setting, marketing, and financial skills needed to establish a successful farm business. Scholarships will be available. For more details and to apply, > click here.