Practical Farmers of Iowa

Practical Farmers of Iowa Practical Farmers of Iowa equips farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
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Practical Farmers of Iowa strengthens farms and communities through farmer-led investigation and information-sharing.

Do you know a PFI member who has been particularly influential in creating healthy soil, health food, clean air, clean w...
08/26/2026

Do you know a PFI member who has been particularly influential in creating healthy soil, health food, clean air, clean water, resilient farms and vibrant communities?

Submit a nomination for our Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award by Aug. 31!

PFI board members will choose the winner based on the nominations you submit and the recipient will be recognized at PFI's 2027 Annual Conference in January. Submit your nomination today: https://bit.ly/4qC5vWA

Can cover crops prevent spring fieldwork delays? PFI's farmer-led research continues to explore the practical implicatio...
08/24/2026

Can cover crops prevent spring fieldwork delays?

PFI's farmer-led research continues to explore the practical implications of widespread cover crop adoption for improving the number of spring days suitable for field work.

In 2025, 38 farmers, up from 15 participants in 2024, identified one field on their farm with a history of cover cropping. They then recorded which days were suitable for fieldwork throughout the growing season.

Read the full research report to see what these farmers learned: https://bit.ly/4gph6U7

Fermenting grain can increase the availability of nutrients in animal feed and make the feed more digestible.A growing b...
08/19/2026

Fermenting grain can increase the availability of nutrients in animal feed and make the feed more digestible.

A growing body of research shows that fermenting chicken feed may increase chicken weight.

In 2025, Aaron Heath and John Seiser each decided to test whether fermenting feed for a batch of their broiler chickens affected bird final weight, average daily gain and feed costs. Review the full research report: https://bit.ly/4zmAUjB

How can farmers increase the return from every acre with cover crops? In this video, farmer Ryan Gibbs of Hopkinton, Iow...
08/17/2026

How can farmers increase the return from every acre with cover crops? In this video, farmer Ryan Gibbs of Hopkinton, Iowa, shares how integrating cover crops and livestock creates additional value by improving soil health, reducing feed and labor costs and adding another revenue stream through grazing.

Hear Ryan discuss the numbers behind grazing cover crops, including their feed value, potential cost savings and how livestock can help farmers get more from every acre. Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/OJo9vimv7W0?si=OUReGKavolmahD_K

There’s still plenty of time to join us at an upcoming field day! PFI field days bring farmers together to learn from on...
08/13/2026

There’s still plenty of time to join us at an upcoming field day!

PFI field days bring farmers together to learn from one another through practical demonstrations, shared experiences and open conversation – and there are plenty more opportunities to join us this season.

Coming up, you can see how restoring oxbows can improve water quality, learn about growing high-tunnel peaches, explore how sheep and cover crops can work together, explore diversifying crop rotations and more.

Find an upcoming field day and RSVP: https://bit.ly/4umWVeL

Thinking about seeding fall cover crops?PFI's cover crop cost-share can help you reach your goals. Receive $15 per acre ...
08/12/2026

Thinking about seeding fall cover crops?

PFI's cover crop cost-share can help you reach your goals. Receive $15 per acre with no acre cap and personalized agronomic support for newer cover crop users. Our cost-share also stacks with eligible public cost-share programs.

Enrollment is first come, first served and will close once allotted acres are filled.

Learn more and apply today: https://bit.ly/44nNAIV

Applications are now open for our N Rate Risk Protection Program! This program helps corn farmers explore their economic...
08/11/2026

Applications are now open for our N Rate Risk Protection Program! This program helps corn farmers explore their economical nitrogen rate with support from a PFI agronomist.

Participants receive $5 per acre for every enrolled acre with a reduced nitrogen plan. If your yield falls below 95% of your farm’s 10-year average after following the plan, you'll receive an additional $30 per acre.

Farmers who are new to reducing inputs – as well as those who have already reduced their nitrogen rates – can participate.

Learn more and enroll today: https://bit.ly/4wLiV4G

Do you know a PFI member who has been particularly influential in creating healthy soil, health food, clean air, clean w...
08/07/2026

Do you know a PFI member who has been particularly influential in creating healthy soil, health food, clean air, clean water, resilient farms and vibrant communities? Nominate them for our Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award: https://bit.ly/4wIc102

PFI board members will choose the winner based on the nominations you submit and the recipient will be recognized at PFI's 2027 Annual Conference in January.

There is still time to join us at our free Beginning Farmer Business Workshop on Aug. 10 in Swisher, Iowa!This workshop ...
08/04/2026

There is still time to join us at our free Beginning Farmer Business Workshop on Aug. 10 in Swisher, Iowa!

This workshop is packed with practical tools you can put to work right away. Learn about business planning, financial risk, recordkeeping, market research and more while connecting with other beginning farmers who understand the opportunities and challenges of getting started.

You'll leave with actionable resources, new ideas and greater confidence for your farming journey.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4vTjqIR

Join the team at PFI! We’re seeking a senior email marketing coordinator to lead PFI’s email marketing communication. Th...
08/04/2026

Join the team at PFI! We’re seeking a senior email marketing coordinator to lead PFI’s email marketing communication.

This role is also responsible for analyzing campaign performance and implementing processes to improve email marketing. This position will support PFI’s broader digital communications strategy by creating social media content and occasionally updating website content. Apply today: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/All/7f6786ea-b7e7-407e-9eb6-e72e6833a75e/Practical-Farmers-of-Iowa?source=Facebook

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