Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
Scott Koepke of Marion shows off some of his PFI gear while working on the farm. The beehive behind Scott is one of six hives he installed this week.
#PracticalResilience
This page provides links to some resources we have found particularly useful, from reputable sources that are frequently updated with current information.

If you have suggestions for resources we should add, or you're unable to find something you need, please contact any of our PFI staff and we will do our best to assist you.
See who's sharing their stories of resilience
Emily Paulson of Brun Ko Farm near Exira shows off her "Iowa needs vegetable farms" shirt in the greenhouse.

Over the last few weeks, Emily has set up an online store to offer lamb, honey and eggs to her customers.

Mary Swander of Kalona is doing all she can to reach out to her Amish neighbors to help them stay safe.

LaVon Griffieon of Griffieon Family Farm near Ankeny has seen direct-marketing meat sales skyrocket, especially through the Iowa Food Co-op.

LaVon is serving many new customers, as well as customers who typically only buy at the farmers market.

NEWS
Welcome to Maddie Mueller, an Iowa State University student studying advertising with minors in event management and data science, who joined PFI this week as a communications intern. She will work remotely while PFI's office is closed.

Maddie's duties will include helping to manage PFI’s website, social media and email newsletters; assisting with graphic design and storytelling; creating and writing copy for ads; and helping with public relations. Read Maddie's bio here.
From the spring magazine:
Donna Warhover of Morning Glory, LLC in Mt. Vernon is one of several trainer farms in PFI's Labor4Learning program. Donna is eager to hire a farm assistant who is motivated to learn about a diverse vegetable farm, managing a CSA and connecting to the local foods movement.

"Morning Glory's vision is to be known for providing an environment that allows people to grow healthy food, connect and find healing," Donna says. "Providing hands-on education for an aspiring farmer is an integral part of our mission."
More PFI News
We are hiring! Apply for the strategic initiatives coordinator position by Sunday, April 26.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Please join us during a one-hour virtual meet-up to talk about the ongoing changes and challenges specific to your farms and markets due to COVID-19.

We’ll be holding these every Friday at 1 p.m. through May 8.

Our intention is to provide a place for producers to share their insights, struggles, ideas and strategies to manage current and anticipated changes related to consumer demand, market access, labor and enhanced measures for food safety.

May 1: Meet-Up - Strange Times
1 p.m. | Online
May 8: Meet-Up - Strange Times
1 p.m. | Online
IN THE NEWS
Members in the News
Mary Swander of Kalona wrote a column in the Cedar Rapids Gazette: A neighbor's warning: Informing Iowa Amish about the COVID-19 wasn't easy


LaVon Griffieon of Ankeny was featured on Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network: Pandemic a blessing in disguise for farm direct sales

Mary Swander of Kalona was featured in The Hawk Eye: Neighbors work to inform Amish community of virus outbreak

Lisa Schulte Moore of Ames was featured in innovationIOWA: Business Record announces 2020 innovationIOWA awards

Will Lorentzen and Adrian White of Garber, and Ellen Walsh-Rosmann, Daniel Rosmann and Ron Rosmann of Harlan were featured on Iowa Ingredient on Iowa PBS: Basil
PFI in the News
PFI was not featured in the news this week.
Have you been featured in the media? Tell us when and where to find a link to the article, and we'll feature you in a future issue of Practical News.