Practical "Farminars" of Iowa

Farminar Archives

What's a Farminar?

Practical Farmers of Iowa offers FREE 90-minute, interactive online seminars on a wide variety of farming topics. Broadcast over the Internet, Farminars are held Tuesdays from 7–8:30 pm CST. Check out our current lineup below. Register today to hear about the latest learning opportunities by email.

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2013 Spring Farminar Lineup

March 19 - Cover Crop Decision-Making Tools
Just getting started with cover crops or want to hone your cover crop selections? Learn more about two online tools, the SmartMix (cover crop) Calculator, developed by Green Cover Seed of Bladen, NE and the Cover Crop Selector Tool developed by the Iowa Cover Crop Working Group in Ames, IA. Both resources are available online for farmers and landowners to improve their cover crop decision-making.
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David Ausberger, rowcrop and cover crop farmer from central Iowa;
Keith Berns, farmer and owner of Green Cover Seed in Bladen, Neb.; and
Sarah Carlson, research and policy director for Practical Farmers of Iowa, will demonstrate these tools, explain how they originated and ways to use them.

March 26 - Network with other PFI Beginning Farmer Trainees and Trainers
Beginners, learn how to be an excellent employee and learn the most on the job this summer. Farmer employers, hear how farmers make time for a better learning experience for employees.
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Julia Slocum, of Lacewing Acres in Ames, is starting her first year of raising vegetables on her own. Previously, she spent two years working on farms in the Midwest to explore her interests and learn new skills.
Jill Beebout, of Blue Gate Farm near Chariton, has employed seasonal workers for seven years. She has hired a range of people, from teenagers working their first job to people interested in eventually starting their own farms.

April 2 - How to Hire Farm Laborers, By the Books
Have you thought about hiring farm employees but feel confused or unsure where to start? This farminar is for you.
Learn from two farmers about their experiences hiring farm laborers across the spectrum, from H-2A visa holders and migrant seasonal contractor crews, to regular part-time workers and full-time employees. Listen in as the farmers ask questions of experts from each regulatory agency that Iowa farmers will need to work with in order to be legally compliant farm employers.
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Jeanne Hansen, of Hansen Dairy in Hudson, employs people as part of the farm operation, processing facility and three retail locations.
Ben Saunders of Wabi Sabi Farm, an organic fruit and vegetable CSA farm near Granger, hires seasonal full-time employees, part-time employees and short-term contract crews, and works with volunteers on his farm.

Labor Regulation Experts