News Release
For Immediate Release
June 29, 2009
Contact: Sally Worley, Practical Farmers of Iowa, (515)232-5661, sally@practicalfarmers.org
Mark and Connie Tjelmeland, (515)434-2440, tjfarm@iowatelecom.net
Rise and Shine for Practical Farmers of Iowa Field Day
McCallsburg—Join Practical Farmers of Iowa at Mark and Connie Tjelmelands’ farm near McCallsburg from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 11 for an egg breakfast, coffee, and great discussion during a farm tour. Topics will include: free-range layers, row crop organic transition, mechanized handling of small square bales, reconstructed native prairie, and potted prairie plants for state fair display. Jennifer Hopwood, field ecologist/entomologist who is especially interested in wild bees, will talk about native pollinators and their importance to agriculture.
Directions: 12461 650th Ave., McCallsburg: take the McCallsburg/Roland exit 123. Go east on CR-E18 for about 8.5 miles. Turn left on 650th Ave. (gravel road) and travel north 1/2 mile to 12461 on the west side of the road. From Hwy. 65, turn west at; Zearing onto CR-E18. Travel 5 miles to 650th Ave. and turn right. Go 1/2 mile north to 12461 on the west side of the road.
This field day is free, and everybody is welcome.
Sustaining sponsors for Practical Farmers of Iowa field days are the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University Extension, American Natural Soy, the Wallace Chair for Sustainable Agriculture, Albert Lea Seed House, Seed Savers Exchange, and the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES). Major sponsors are the Center for Energy and Environmental Education, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, ATTRA National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, Organic Valley and Organic Prairie Family of Farms CROPP Cooperative, Iowa Forage and Grassland Council, and King Corn.
Practical Farmers of Iowa includes a diverse group of farmers and nonfarmers. Corn, soybeans, beef cattle, and hay are the top enterprises for PFI farmers, although many have a variety of other operations, including fruits and vegetables. PFI’s programming stresses farmer-to-farmer networking through research and demonstration, field days, conferences, and more. For more information, call 515-232-5661 or visit www.practicalfarmers.org.