Practical Farmers of Iowa
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  • Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award

    PFI has selected Fred Kirschenmann as its 2012 Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award recipient. Kirschenmann is a longtime national and international leader in sustainable agriculture and Distinguished Fellow for the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University.
  • Annual Conference 2012 SNEAK PEEK

    January 12 - 14, 2012
    Scheman Conference Center
    Iowa State University
    Register online

    This year's keynote speaker is Fedele Bauccio, CEO and cofounder of Bon Appétit Management Company, which spends over $55 million annually on food from within a 150-mile radius of each of its 400 locations. Learn More.
  • Annual Conference 2012 SNEAK PEEK

    January 12 - 14, 2012
    Scheman Conference Center
    Iowa State University
    Register online

    Sara Hanson of Prairie Sky Farm in Wesley is one of several beginning farmers who will present details of their business plans, including their projected income statement, cash flow statements, and marketing plans. A panel of experts will offer feedback on strong points of the plans as well as suggestions for improvements. Learn More.
  • Annual Conference 2012 SNEAK PEEK

    January 12 - 14, 2012
    Scheman Conference Center
    Iowa State University
    Register online

    A group of farmers and agronomists, including Paul Ackley, an integrated crop and livestock farmer near Bedford, will present during a pair of sessions devoted to cover crops. "Cover Crops: 101" will focus on cover crop basics, while "Advanced Cover Crops" will focus on topics including legumes, grazing cover crops, and drilling soybeans into living cover crops. Learn More.
  • Annual Conference 2012 SNEAK PEEK

    January 12 - 14, 2012
    Scheman Conference Center
    Iowa State University
    Register online

    Rufus Haucke of Keewaydin Farms in southwestern Wisconsin will walk through his experience establishing and building his profitable vegetable operation and conclude with a vision of what an operation could look like five years down the road. Learn More.
  • Annual Conference 2012 SNEAK PEEK

    January 12 - 14, 2012
    Scheman Conference Center
    Iowa State University
    Register online

    Danish farmer Kaj Munck will offer an international perspective on hog farming. His farm, has more than 400 breeding sows and sells about 8,000 pigs per year. Kaj will speak about Danish farming regulations, including a ban on subtherapeutic antibiotic use in 1998 and an upcoming ban on gestation crates. Learn More.
  • Annual Conference 2012 SNEAK PEEK

    January 12 - 14, 2012
    Scheman Conference Center
    Iowa State University
    Register online

    Abe Collins, co-founder of the Soil Carbon Coalition, will talk about his experience grazing cattle at his Cimarron Farm in Vermont in a session titled "The Curious Grazier: Questions Asked, Lessons Learned. Learn More.
  • Annual Conference 2012 SNEAK PEEK

    January 12 - 14, 2012
    Scheman Conference Center
    Iowa State University
    Register online

    Lonna Nachtigal will be among several expert food preservers featured in a session titled "Extending the Season in Your Kitchen." Learn tips for freezing, dehydrating, and root cellaring food, and tour an ISU Dining commercial kitchen. Learn More.
  • Annual Conference 2012 SNEAK PEEK

    January 12 - 14, 2012
    Scheman Conference Center
    Iowa State University
    Register online

    Founding PFI members Tom and Irene Frantzen are working through legacy planning. How do they provide for their three children while keeping the farm together? Join Tom, Irene, and their son James as they present their story in a session called "Preserving Your Farm." Learn More.
  • Annual Conference 2012 SNEAK PEEK

    January 12 - 14, 2012
    Scheman Conference Center
    Iowa State University
    Register online

    Agricultural economist Dr. Craig Chase and agronomist Dr. Matt Liebman will explain how adding a third crop to a corn-soybean rotation can increase farm income while reducing farmers' dependence on volatile input markets. Learn More.
  • Annual Conference 2012 SNEAK PEEK

    January 12 - 14, 2012
    Scheman Conference Center
    Iowa State University
    Register online

    How does an experienced CSA farmer make sure to have enough quantity and variety for CSA members all season long? Laura Krouse, owner of Abbe Hills Farm near Mt. Vernon, will lead a session titled "Producing an Abundance for Your CSA." Learn More.

Welcome

Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) is an open, supportive, and diverse organization advancing profitable, ecologically sound, and community-enhancing approaches to agriculture through farmer-led investigation and information sharing.

Founded in 1985, we now have more than 1,500 individual members in Iowa and neighboring states. We carry out diverse programs to assist farmers with both production and marketing needs, to raise public awareness of where food comes from and how it is grown, and to educate youth about agriculture and the environment.

What's Happening

Savings Incentive Program

PFI's Savings Incentive Program (SIP) is growing! We are proud to announce the addition of 25 more beginning farmers to the program.