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Co-existing Cultures: Making Multiple Markets Work

Date: 06/21/2012
Time: 4-7 p.m.

Hosts:                                           

James and Julie Petersen

Petersen Family Farms

907 Quebec St

Knoxville, IA 50138

641.891.7490

iowafarmerpete@yahoo.com

 

Description:

Learn how to manage organic and GMO crop production to prevent co-mingling of crops from these two systems and manage weeds differently for each. Learn about keeping livestock on the farm and bringing family members home to continue the farm’s legacy.

 

Topics:

·         Identity preservation

·         Conventional crop production

·         Organic crop production

·         EQIP and EQIP organic initiative conservation practices

·         Bringing children back to the farm

·         Cow-calf production

·         Ewe production

·         Rotational grazing

 

Speakers:

James and Julie Petersen are expert farmers in producing grain from both organic and conventional GMO production systems. They have spoken nationally and in Washington, D.C. about keeping these two systems separate on the farm for improved income stability.

 

The Farm:

Petersen Family Farms includes James and Julie, along with Justin, Joshua, Jacob, Jenny and James’ dad, who, at age 82, comes out and helps on the farm when the weather is nice. The family rents and owns 2,400 acres, with about 800 acres of corn and soybeans, 150 acres of oats, 200 acres of hay and the remainder in pasture. Of this acreage, typically 250 to 300 acres are certified organic production in row crops with an extended rotation. Hay ground is treated organically but not certified. Conventional corn and soybeans emcompass 500 acres. Oat acreage is in transition to organic. The farm also has livestock, including: a cow-calf operation of about 300 cows with fall and spring calving and 500 lambing ewes; lambs are kept in a feedlot and the ewes graze in a rotational grazing system. The cattle graze at other farms. Marketing: Calves go to the sale barn, lambs are directly sold and some go to the sale barn. Some animals are also sold as breeding stock. Organic grains go to a processor, while conventional crops are fed or sold at the local coop.

 

Directions:

From Knoxville: Take Hwy 14 south about 5 miles to Quebec St (gravel road). At Quebec and Hwy 14 look for 3 grain bins and turn right (west) and go 2 miles to 907 Quebec.