Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities. |
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Now is the time to reflect and plan for a new year |
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We’ve reached the end of a challenging year. Now is the time to think about what we’ve learned after navigating through the twists and turns of 2020 and make plans for 2021. When evaluating and planning for the next year, many beginning farmers are asking questions like: |
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- What lessons did I learn?
- What things do I want to do again?
- What do I not want to do again?
- How can I plan to be better and brighter next season?
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Over the weekend, PFI held its annual Beginning Farmer Retreat to provide a place to focus on business planning and networking with peers.
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Aspiring farmers, bring your farming ideas and visions into reality at the Exploring Farming Series this January.
This series will feature four virtual workshops and opportunities to connect with landowners seeking new farmers for their farmland.
Each virtual workshop will walk you through the next steps to starting your business plan. Leave this series with an action plan to make your dream a reality.
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Your donations will fund our farmer-led events, research and outreach; support the next generation of farmers; and help us continue to grow our impact. Please, if you are able, donate today!
Thank you for being part of our generous community, and for your financial support. As 2020 comes to a close, we hope PFI serves as a beacon of hope for you.
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Sessions geared for beginning farmers at PFI's 2021 virtual annual conference |
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The Practical Farmers of Iowa virtual annual conference, features three days of farmer-led sessions delivered live January 21-23.
Check out these conference sessions below that might be of interest to beginning farmers! New this year, these beginning farmer focused sessions will be hosted with Spanish interpretation.
Those who register for the conference by Sunday, Dec. 20 – and also either join PFI or renew their membership, or include a donation of $50 or more – will receive a special conference package in the mail that includes this T-shirt and a custom notebook, along with other gifts.
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Speakers: Joe Klingelhutz, Lyle Luzum, Will Lorentzen & Adrian White
T1: Thursday, January 21 | 10-11 a.m.
Speaker: Ty Holmberg
T2: Thursday, January 21 | 11:10 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.
Speaker: Rebekka Bond
F1: Friday, January 22 | 10-11 a.m.
Speaker: Lisa Kivirist
F2: Friday, January 22 | 11:10 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.
Speakers: Celize Christy & Mike Parker
S1: Saturday, January 23 | 10-11 a.m.
Speaker: Bill Warner
S2: Saturday, January 23 | 11:10 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.
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Practical Farmers of Iowa's first documentary film – "Livestock on the Land" – will debut Jan. 21, 2021 at our virtual annual conference.
This film is a story about the ways that farmers are building resilient farms and communities by centering their operations around the animals they care for.
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BEGINNING FARMER RESOURCES |
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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.
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The National Young Farmers Coalition is partnering with Chipotle to offer $5,000 grants to 50 young farmers and ranchers to support them in building careers in agriculture. Grant recipients also received a one-year membership to the National Young Farmers Coalition. Vista a la aplicación en español, aquí.
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National Young Farmers Coalition is excited to share their new report website providing farmers, policymakers, and supporters with a set of tools to understand the issue of land access and to take action.
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Have you been struggling to make your farm operation profitable without driving yourself into the ground? Cornell Small Farms Program financial planning course will help you with the delicate balancing act that all farmers must succeed in: balancing healthy profits with healthy land and a healthy farm family and personal life. Browse all of their course offerings on their website.
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This webinar will give small, limited resource farmers the tools they need to better understand the benefits of good pasture management. Register here.
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The Sicangu Food Sovereignty Initiative envisions a sovereign food system that nourishes and heals Lakota people and land for the next Seven Generations. The 7Gen Food System is an award-winning, ambitious vision that includes goals and initiatives at the individual, organizational, and governmental levels to enact lasting systemic change.
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Wisconsin Farmers Union is planning a “Winter Meat-ings” series on solutions to meat processing struggles in the state. This series will give farmers, processors, rural leaders, and other stakeholders a chance to come together in search of creative solutions.
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6:30-8 p.m. | Online
6:30-8 p.m. | Online
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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.
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Labor4Learning helps beginning farmers get paid on-the-job training with experienced farmers, and pays experienced farmers for their time and effort.
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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.
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Greg Padget
Next Generation Director
(515) 232-5661
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Celize Christy
Next Generation Coordinator
(515) 232-5661
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