Youth and Next Generation

PFI is committed to fostering the wisdom of the next generation through programs for youth and students that highlight the connections between the environment, farms, food and communities.

PFI is committed to fostering the wisdom of the next generation through programs for youth and students that highlight the connections between the environment, farms, food and communities.

Summer Camp: Not So Creepy Crawlies
PFI's annual summer camp for youth and their families provides hands-on learning about the relationships between food, farming, the environment and communities. Swimming, hiking, canoeing and other outdoor play are combined with activities and guest speakers that highlight these relationships. Older PFI youth serve as staff and junior counselors for the event.  This years camp will take place June 10-13, at the Des Moines Area Y-Camp. Click here for the 2009 brochure.

Youth Leadership Program
The youth leadership program offers young adults training as camp counselors. The program also offers in-depth field-based education, skill building and career exploration opportunities in sustainable agriculture and ecology-related fields. This years Youth Leadership Program will take place June 8-10, at the Des Moines Area Y-Camp.  Click here for the 2009 brochure.

Sustainable Ag Curriculum for Elementary School Students
Curriculum developed for PFI Camp 2007 "Your Backyard Grocery Store" is available for interested educators. The first, "What's in Your Backyard Grocery Store," looks at where our food comes from with a game called "Place that Plate!" and examines what foods are available from Iowa. The second, "Your Farmer's Backyard Grocery Store," is an interactive game exploring the impacts of our food system on farmers by acting out how much of our food dollars actually make it to farmers. For more information, contact Suzi Bernhard.

Sustainable Ag Curriculum for High School Students
The Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS) in Wisconsin received a SARE grant to develop a sustainable agriculture curriculum targeted to schools in Wisconsin and Iowa. PFI is a partner on the project. The curriculum will be designed for use in high school agriculture classes, and will consist of one- to two-week modules that teachers can easily insert into existing courses.  For more information, contact Diane Mayerfeld, Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS), at 608-262-8188 or at dbmayerfeld@wisc.edu. See the curriculm on the CIAS website.

Next Generation Program
PFI's Next Generation Program is under way! PFI is committed to transitioning the Next Generation of Iowans onto Iowa farms. Many of our members are experiencing this shift. Read Farming in their Blood to hear about PFI farmers making this transition.

PFI will also informally coordinate on-farm apprenticeships. Fill out the apprentice application or farmer application and send it to Suzi Bernhard.

For more information on the different projects of our Youth and Next Generation programming, contact Suzi Bernhard.