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Self-Paced Series + Virtual Workshop
December 2 - February 4
$20 for PFI Members | $30 for Non-PFI Members
Beginning farmers who have started to farm and are working to build their business plan should attend the Establish Farming series. Self-paced exercises will lead you through the process of using decision-making to build a farm plan. Participants will receive free admission to the beginning farmer retreat in February 2022.
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Getting Started - Dec 2 | 6:30-8 pm
Hit the ground running in this virtual session. We will cover how to use the self-paced exercises and meet other peers enrolled in this series.
Farmer Vision Panel - Dec 9 | 6-8 pm
Hear from farmers how they started farming and adjusted as opportunities arose and challenges set them back.
Enterprise Meet-Up - Jan 6 | 6:30-8 pm
Have questions you want to ask experienced farmers, here’s your chance. A mix of farmers who farm different enterprises will be sharing about their farms and answering your questions.
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We are seeking experienced farmers who plan to hire an employee in 2022 to participate in our Labor4Learning program.
The Labor4Learning program is intended to benefit both parties: aspiring farmers get a paid, on-farm job and additional training on how to run a farm business, and the experienced farmer gains an eager-to-learn employee.
Trainer applications will be open until December 10th.
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Over the last 15 years, agritourism has helped Anna and Dave Geyer expand their farm and bring the community together.
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For our January 21-22 annual conference, we’re excited to be back in person at the Scheman Building at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Please expect the same great conference experience you’ve come to know from PFI over our 36 years—50+ sessions, hundreds of attendees, 80+ exhibitors, plenty of networking time—but with COVID-19 still lingering, we will require face masks and have additional precautionary steps in place.
The conference theme this year is Facing the Horizon, where together we will gather to chart our course forward to a more resilient agricultural future.
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7-8:30 pm | Oskaloosa, IA
7-8:30 pm | Storm Lake, IA
Noon-1p.m. | Online
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6-8 p.m. | Online
All day | Ankeny, IA
Noon-1p.m. | Online
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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 Celize Christy at celize@practicalfarmers.org.
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Check out these resources for beginning farmers |
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In this year-long program, newer farmers are paired 1-to-1 with a more experienced grower in order to move their farm forward, focusing on a specific production, business, or quality of life aspect of their farm. The MOSES Farmer-to-Farmer Mentorship Program connects farmers and facilitates education to empower strong, resilient organic communities throughout our region. > Learn more and apply
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The Farm Equity National Assessment project is highlighting stories of BIPOC farmers across the nation and is looking for BIPOC farmers who would be interested in sharing their stories as a case study for this project. Selected farmers will be asked to participate in case study interviews following this survey, which may include a short video or podcast (interview style) that will highlight innovations, barriers, constraints, or best practices. There is a $500 stipend for the 50 farmers who are selected as case studies. If interested in participating, take this survey.
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The seventh annual Latino Farmer Conference begins December 8. The three-part webinar series is free to attend, and as always, sessions will be held in Spanish. The series will include informative presentations, virtual farm visits, and opportunities to connect with other farmers, farm educators, and sponsors. > Learn more and register
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November 11 - February 24
Technology exists to solve agricultural challenges and manage business risks, yet the landscape of available options can be confusing and overwhelming. Join this series of 12 educational workshops featuring experienced farmers, software developers, agricultural technology companies, and agricultural service providers. Workshops will provide legal, production, financial, and marketing risk management solutions. > Learn more and register.
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The 2022 hybrid Women’s Conference will be hosted virtually January 10-13 and in-person January 16-18. Attendees will attend sessions on cooperatives, business management, leadership, advocacy, and more! As a promotional partner, you will have the ability to share materials or advertisements with our attendees and participate in giveaways.
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FACT awards competitive grants of up to $3,000 to working, independent farmers located in the U.S. who raise beef cattle, bison, broiler chickens, dairy cows, ducks, geese, goats, laying hens, pigs, sheep and/or turkeys. The deadline to apply is January 20, 2022. Grants will be awarded in March 2022.
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Supports innovative on-farm research and demonstrations. It funds projects that explore sustainable agriculture practices and systems that could make farming more profitable, resource-efficient, or personally satisfying.
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USDA is accepting applications for this new program that will assist small businesses in certain commodity areas — including specialty crop producers, shellfish farming, finfish farming, aquaculture, and apiculture; specialty crop, meat, and other processors; distributors; and farmers markets — with COVID-related expenses such as workplace safety measures, shifting to online sales platforms, transportation, worker housing, and medical costs.
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USDA recently announced pandemic assistance to cover certification and education expenses to agricultural producers who are certified organic or transitioning to organic. USDA will make $20 million available through the new Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP). Eligible operations may apply for OTECP for expenses paid during the 2020, 2021 and 2022 fiscal years. Signup for 2020 and 2021 OTECP is open now through January 7, 2022.
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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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