Practical Farmers of Iowa
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  • Research Cooperators

    PFI Cooperators' Meeting
    February 7-8, 2012
    Gateway Hotel in Ames, IA
    Contact us for more details.

    Since 1987, Ron Rosmann has participated in more than 40 trials with PFI. At the Cooperators' Meeting, he will present about how results of three of those projects have improved the profitability and stewardship of his farm.
  • Research Cooperators

    PFI Cooperators' Meeting
    February 7-8, 2012
    Gateway Hotel in Ames, IA
    Contact us for more details.

    On his farm in Kalona, George Schaefer is participating in a trial to learn how planting a small grain cover crop affects the yield of corn and soybeans, soil quality, and steady state water infiltration rates.
  • Research Cooperators

    PFI Cooperators' Meeting
    February 7-8, 2012
    Gateway Hotel in Ames, IA
    Contact us for more details.

    For several years, Mike Natvig has tested organic, non-GMO, and open pollinated corn materials on his farm in Cresco.
  • Research Cooperators

    PFI Cooperators' Meeting
    February 7-8, 2012
    Gateway Hotel in Ames, IA
    Contact us for more details.

    Marilyn Anderson is participating in PFI's Local Foods Study. Participants keep track of how much money they spend on local versus distance food purchases over a 15-month period.
  • Research Cooperators

    PFI Cooperators' Meeting
    February 7-8, 2012
    Gateway Hotel in Ames, IA
    Contact us for more details.

    Craig and LaVon Griffieon are among PFI's energy cooperators, and are working to monitor and reduce the energy usage of their farm in Ankeny.
  • Research Cooperators

    PFI Cooperators' Meeting
    February 7-8, 2012
    Gateway Hotel in Ames, IA
    Contact us for more details.

    At Mustard Seed Farm in Ames, Nicholas Leete and Alice McGary tested whether lifting the side roots of sweet potato plants would increase the size and weight of the potatoes.
  • Research Cooperators

    PFI Cooperators' Meeting
    February 7-8, 2012
    Gateway Hotel in Ames, IA
    Contact us for more details.

    Mark Quee of Scattergood Friends School in West Branch tested planting a rye cover crop to aid in coverting pasture ground to vegetable production. Quee also participated in PFI's sweet potato study.
  • Research Cooperators

    PFI Cooperators' Meeting
    February 7-8, 2012
    Gateway Hotel in Ames, IA
    Contact us for more details.

    Eric and Ann Franzenburg use a corn-burning boiler to provide subsoil heat to their greenhouse. They are participating in a PFI energy audit of their farm in Van Horne.
  • Research Cooperators

    PFI Cooperators' Meeting
    February 7-8, 2012
    Gateway Hotel in Ames, IA
    Contact us for more details.

    Tom Cory (right) is testing whether it is possible to produce more, higher quality forage by applying raw milk directly to pasture land on his farm in Elkhart.

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.