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Next Generation Retreat – workshop with Richard Wiswall December 8-9, 2011

September 22nd, 2011 @ 12:22 pm by Luke

We hare pleased to announce Richard Wiswall will be the farmer facilitator for the 4th annual Practical Farmers of Iowa Next Generation Retreat.

From Noon on December 8th to Noon on December 9th, this overnight retreat will focus on how to create business plans that demonstrate budgets for profit.

“I get really excited about farm budgeting, because that is how you determine if you are making a living farming,” says Wiswall. “I love working with beginners to demystify business planning.”

Detailed agenda to be provided later this fall.

The Next Generation Retreat is only $20.00 for members of Practical Farmers of Iowa, and $50.00 for non-members. Bring a potluck dish for Thursday night’s meal as well as a set of your own linens/pillow.

TO REGISTER: Contact Luke Gran,  luke@practicalfarmers.org, 515.232.5661 by November 15.

TIME and PLACE: The workshop will be held Noon December 8th, 2011 to Noon December 9th, 2011 at Des Moines Y CAMP near Boone, 1192 160th Drive, Boone, IA, 50036. See http://www.y-camp.org/contact/ for a map to the location.

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March 22nd, 2010 @ 2:46 pm by Luke


Questions asked by Dave Schmidt, beginning grazier and participating member of PFI’s Next Generation Program

-What are the best forage mixes for central Iowa?
-Would you recommend using any of the native legumes or warm-season
grasses? (maybe in separate paddocks for mid-summer?)
-What are the best strategies for rejuvenating old CRP ground?
(intensive grazing? re-establish? RX burn?)
-What are the best strategies for establishing pasture on bare ground
that has been intensively row-cropped for decades?
-Do you recommend making hay or stockpiling standing forage for winter?
-What is the most effective way to field-measure standing forage volume?
-Is it worth buying more expensive, grass-specific cattle breeds or
just stick with black Angus from the neighbors?
-Is it likely to be years until we have high-enough quality forage
established to properly finish beef?
-How important is measuring brix?
-How important are soil tests?
-What are some solutions for excessive early-season mud?
-What are some indications that the pastures are ready to start
grazing in the spring?
-Do you have any recommendations for chargers and electric fencing?
-Do you have any suggestions for designing the rotation system?
-Do you have a favorite record-keeping system for tracking forage
production or cattle performance?
-Do you recommend buying a livestock scale?
-Do you recommend leasing (e.g., Greg Judy in “Comeback Farms”) or
buying your own land?

Questions like this are why Beginning Farmers should be members of Practical Farmers of Iowa. Join Today www.practicalfarmers.org/join

Answers to be given by forage expert Doug Gunnink live on Tuesday Night March 23, 2010 at 7 PM C.S.T. at the online field day location http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/farminar

For More Information on our Farminar Series and to view archive seminars go to www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar

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Practical “Farminars” of Iowa

February 8th, 2010 @ 12:31 pm by Luke

55 people attended last week’s Farminar on “Ramping Up Vegetable Production”.

You are invited to attend our Next Session:
Tuesday, Feb 9 7:00 PM C.S.T. Grow Vegetables Year Round
Adam Montri
Ten Hens Farm

Participate Tuesday night online at this site:
http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/farminar

Coming Up:
Tuesday, Feb 16 7:00 PM C.S.T. Agroforestry for Iowa
Tom Wahl
Red Fern Farm

March “Fishbowl” Farminars
Tuesday, Mar 2 7:00 PM C.S.T. Pastured Poultry
Tuesday, Mar 9 7:00 PM C.S.T. Vegetable Production
Tuesday, Mar 16 7:00 PM C.S.T. Vegetable Marketing
Tuesday, Mar 23 7:00 PM C.S.T. Grass-Fed Beef

For More Information on this series and archives of past seminars: www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar

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Practical “Farminars” of Iowa

January 29th, 2010 @ 11:44 am by Luke

You Are Invited! 31 Attended last week’s Farminar.

Practical Farmers of Iowa continues the popular “Farminar Series” with 8 new sessions in the months of January, February, and March. Featuring Farmer Presenters, these interactive seminars are broadcast over the internet with information slideshow, and audio presentation on farming topics. 90-minute Farminars Tuesday nights this Winter feature topics of interest to beginning farmers.

Next Session:
Tuesday, Feb-2 7:00 PM C.S.T. Ramp Up Vegetable Production
Martin Stosiek
Markristo Farm

Participate Tuesday night online at this site!
http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/farminar

Tuesday, Feb 9 7:00 PM C.S.T. Grow Vegetables Year Round
Adam Montri
Ten Hens Farm

Tuesday, Feb 16 7:00 PM C.S.T. Agroforestry for Iowa
Tom Wahl
Red Fern Farm

March “Fishbowl” Farminars
Tuesday, Mar 2 7:00 PM C.S.T. Pastured Poultry
Tuesday, Mar 9 7:00 PM C.S.T. Vegetable Production
Tuesday, Mar 16 7:00 PM C.S.T. Vegetable Marketing
Tuesday, Mar 23 7:00 PM C.S.T. Grass-Fed Beef

For More Information on this series and archives of past seminars: www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar

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2009 Nxt Gen Retreat: Complete!

December 12th, 2009 @ 6:48 pm by Luke

Join our Practical Farmers of Iowa Facebook Fan Page to keep in touch and get the latest info on PFI events.

www.facebook.com/practicalfarmers


We just completed our spectacular Next Generation Retreat. In attendance were 27 fantastic farmer leaders and 4 facilitators.

The farmers were divided into two groups based on their experience level. All farmers had 10 year or less experience in their operation, most beginners had less than 1 year on their farm.

9 learned how to develop on-farm indicators of sustainability for their farms with Dr. Laura Lengnick and Dr. Susan Kask from Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC.

18 planners identified their core values, and their vision for their farm operation. Shepherded with the guidance of Holistic Management Trainer Dr. Margaret Smith they are on their way to a three part holistic goal and even greater focus for their farm. They analyzed a real-life farm marketing example and then identified their own product, qualities, and likely customers. They shared ideas for creating a farm brochure, for talking about their farm and the products. Finally, they created a PFI “Pent-opoly Timeline,” a five year plan for success and shared their ideas with their supportive colleagues.

Participation, interaction, motivation, and farm planning excitement levels were high. Spirits ran higher and a friendly atmosphere enveloped the central Iowa retreat center.

With outstanding farmer members like those of Practical Farmers of Iowa and the great new ones coming along, there is much reason for Jubilation!

JOIN us at the Annual Conference January 8-9, 2010
http://practicalfarmers.org/events/annual-conference.html

There will be a Next Generation Lunch on Friday for a great chance to hang-out together. Saturday lunch beginning farmers pair up for a Mentor Lunch with an established farmer of their enterprise of interest.
Finally on Saturday afternoon, there will be a beginning farmer cluster to discuss issues for beginning farmers and what PFI can do in 2010 to help get started farming.

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PFI Next Generation EVENT SUNDAY JULY 12

July 8th, 2009 @ 10:26 am by Luke


Do you like homemade pie with a flaky crust? Then you would love to attend the Next Generation PFI Event at Berry Patch Farm!

Sunday July 12
2 PM – 7 PM
South of Nevada, IA
Rancher and Holistic Management trainer Wayne Burleson brings 30 years experience from Montana to central Iowa. Using an interactive and engaging workshop style to learn simple guidelines that will help you make better decisions together on your farm.
PFI Members Vic & Cindy Madsen Deli Ham Sandwiches, Salad and featuring delicious Berry Patch pies with ice cream!
Please RSVP by Friday, July 10th to:
Luke Gran
luke@practicalfarmers.org
Next Generation Coordinator
Practical Farmers of Iowa
515.232.5661 x308

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