In the early days, PFI Cooperators researched the effect of different rates of nitrogen fertilizers on corn yield and how to successfully add cover crops to the farming system. Today PFI has increased its on-farm research projects to include grazing, horticulture and food purchasing projects. Since 1987 PFI Cooperators have conducted over 800 experiments on-farm and shared that information with neighbors and other farmers.
PFI Cooperators are committed to solving their farming challenges through on-farm research, record-keeping and demonstration projects. (Beginning in 2010, PFI has begun involving consumer members in the Cooperators’ Program as well, with the Local Foods Project).
To become a PFI Cooperator, you first need to be a PFI member. Second, attending the Cooperators’ Meeting is highly recommended. Held every February in Ames, IA, the Cooperators’ Meeting provides an opportunity for farmers to learn about: how to conduct on-farm research, how to set up a field experiment, how to initiate a record-keeping project or demonstration, how to collect appropriate data, and how to conduct statistical analysis. Cooperators also share results of recently finished projects.
The Cooperators’ Meeting is the central place to ask new questions for future projects and set research priorities . The Cooperators’ Meeting process allows PFI staff to respond directly to farmers’ needs with practical projects that help farmers improve their profitability, environmental impact and community.
PFI Cooperators work with PFI staff to design a project appropriate for the question they are asking. It is important for a potential cooperator to realize participating in a project requires good data collection skills and follow through. PFI maintains a rigorous standard for their achieving their research results.
Practical Farmers of Iowa staff will help throughout the entire project, from design to the final report. Each project is unique, but typical responsibilities for PFI staff include:
PFI feels strongly about providing financial support for farmers who participate in our Cooperators’ Program. PFI assesses the farmer stipend each year to determine if it is enough money to help offset the costs and time farmers spend conducting on-farm research projects. Sometimes additional money is available for larger projects and PFI staff and Cooperators pre-determine those payments before initiating a project. If a Cooperator wants to initiate a project for which PFI has no funding, PFI staff can help with the design process but will not conduct a formal research project.
The PFI membership determines the projects PFI conducts. Because our program is well known with university and community college researchers in Iowa and the Midwest, PFI Cooperators regularly have opportunities to participate in other non-PFI directed research. These opportunities are made available through PFI’s list serve.
The goal of the Cooperators’ Program is to make sure current, practical and farmer directed on-farm research is conducted and shared with other farmers in Iowa, the Midwest and beyond.
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