Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
The 2020 Next Generation Summit is going virtual
Are you an aspiring farmer looking for land to begin your farming dream? Then we invite you to join Practical Farmers’ Next Generation Summit. This virtual event will bring together aspiring farmers and farmland owners in a way that allows for education and networking help to overcome the challenge of farmland access. This year we will be offering the summit virtually in three parts.
Tuesday, Aug. 4 | 2 – 4 p.m.

Farmland owners will work on setting goals to work toward a farmland legacy that reflects their values. They will also learn about how to take the next steps to begin the transition period when the time is right.
Wednesday, Aug. 5 | 5 – 7 p.m.

Aspiring and beginning farmers will walk through the process of determining their farming purpose and planning the next steps to acquiring farm land.
A Meet-up for Landseekers and Landowners

Friday, Aug. 7 | 5 – 6 p.m.

This session will be filled with networking opportunities to meet aspiring farmers and landowners. Farming takes a community of many individuals. All are invited to come and learn about the issues facing transitioning farmers and land. Let’s connect all the generations that make farming possible and support those coming into the next generation.
We hope you will join us for all or some of this virtual Next Generation Summit. Each workshop is free and all are welcome to attend, pre-registration is required.
Virtual beginning farmer meet-up this Thursday
July 16 | 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Take a quick break from farm work throughout the summer to virtually gather and socialize with other beginning and aspiring farmers.

Our purpose is to create a supportive upbeat space for farmers to share and connect during these times of uncertainty.  Build your farming network and learn from others who have similar (or different!) farm ventures than you.

Don't miss this year's field day season
Sign up to receive email updates for virtual field days. With this automated system, you'll get updates delivered straight to your inbox highlighting virtual events occurring that day.

Missed a virtual field day that you wanted to attend?  There are a few ways to watch recordings:

Check out these resources for beginning farmers
We have recently updated our collection of business, financial, production and technical assistance resources to help aspiring and beginning farmers further their business goals. You can access them by clicking on the icons below.

We will continue to build this list and add new resources as they are available. If you see any resources missing that you find helpful, please share them with us. You can send them to Greg Padget at greg@practicalfarmers.org .

PFI is partnering with Farm Aid and the Iowa Farmers Union to provide one-time $500 emergency relief payment to farm families. Awards are intended as emergency relief for farmers and their families. Use of the funds is restricted to household expenses, such as groceries, home utilities, medical bills, counseling, or other household expenses not directly related to the commercial operation of the farm or ranch. Learn more and to apply here.

Iowa Farm Bureau's "Grow Your Future" award celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of young farmers and encourage the development and growth of ag-related endeavors. Applicants must be 18-35 years of age and have an existing ag-related for-profit business. Eligible agricultural fields include, but are not limited to, the sale of food and agricultural products, niche ag production, agritourism, or ag services. Eligible applicants should apply by September 1, 2020.

Gaia Herbs' social impact program, Gaia Roots, is offering four grantees $5,000 for projects that are working to increase herbal access to drive community empowerment and health across the United States. The priority is on projects focused on underserved and marginalized communities. Project examples include herbal education programs, free clinics, mobile clinics, and herbal farming/community garden projects.
Submissions are due by July 31, 2020.
Upcoming PFI Events
July 15:   Webinar -   Logistics for Cover Crop Success
Noon-1 p.m. | Online

July 16:   Virtual Meet-Up -   Beginning Farmer
6:30-7:30 p.m. | Online

July 17:   Virtual Field Day -   Farm Manager Panel
3-4 p.m. | Online
July 20:  Virtual Field Day -  Cover Crops & Vegetables
12:30-1:05 p.m. | Online

 July 20:   Virtual Field Day -   Laying Hens
2-2:30 p.m. | Online

23 de Julio:   Día de Campo Virtual -   Producción Avícola
12:15-1 p.m. | En línea
#PracticalResilience
We want to hear your farm’s stories of resilience in the face of COVID-19. How are you adapting on your farm? What changes have you made? How has your community rallied to support your farm business?

Use the hashtag #practicalresilience to share your stories of resilience and we’ll showcase them on our social media channels and in future issues of “Practical News.” 
Labor4Learning 
Labor4Learning helps beginning farmers get paid on-the-job training with experienced farmers, and pays experienced farmers for their time and effort.

Savings Incentive Program
Savings Incentive Program is a 2-year program that pairs beginning and aspiring farmers with experienced farmer mentors; provides targeted learning and peer networking opportunities; offers business planning support and guidance. All this while you save money that we match dollar for dollar, up to $2,400, to use toward the purchase of a farm asset.

Find A Farmer
Find A Farmer allows for a comfortable place to start anonymous conversations with land-seekers or landowners. Search for users in a particular area that fit your specifications and begin the discussion.

Find A Farmer is FREE and available for anyone with internet access! No membership is required.
 
Looking for more?
Greg Padget
Next Generation Director
(515) 232-5661
Celize Christy
Next Generation Coordinator
(515) 232-5661