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Our Mission

Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.

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Join Us At a Field Day

Another season of farmer-to-farmer learning is here! Nearly 60 farms across Iowa, as well as Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin, are opening their farm gates to share knowledge about small grains, orcharding, grazing, agritourism, weed control and more.

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Upcoming Events

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Field Day - Roles of Rye in Seed Production and Manure Management

November 4, 2025

Walcott, IA

Mike Paustian and his family operate a farrow-to-finish hog farm near Walcott, Iowa. They also grow 1,400 acres of row crops, including corn and soybeans, using 100% no-till and cover crops. Cover crops are drilled in immediately after harvest. This practice allows for good growth prior to applying fall hog manure. Mike plants cash crops green in the spring for maximum biomass production. Recently, he started relay intercropping rye and soybeans and harvesting the rye for cover crop seed. This led him to take part in PFI’s Cover Crop Business Accelerator Program to explore growing rye for seed on more acres.

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Oct 23

Practical Farmers of Iowa’s Farmland Owner Legacy Award Celebration

Pammel Park Lodge, 1900 Pammel Park Road, Winterset, IA 50273
Nov 4

Field Day - Roles of Rye in Seed Production and Manure Management

Walcott, IA
Nov 13

Field Day - Year-Round Production of Leafy Greens and More

Sioux Center, IA
Nov 27

PFI Office Closed

Oct 23

Practical Farmers of Iowa’s Farmland Owner Legacy Award Celebration

Pammel Park Lodge, 1900 Pammel Park Road, Winterset, IA 50273
Nov 4

Field Day - Roles of Rye in Seed Production and Manure Management

Walcott, IA
Nov 13

Field Day - Year-Round Production of Leafy Greens and More

Sioux Center, IA
Nov 27

PFI Office Closed

The Latest from PFI

Explore All Resources
Videos
Oct 8
Data-Driven Decisions for Cover Crop Success - Field Notes
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Videos
Oct 6
Cómo aumentar las ventas en el mercado de agricultores: la preparación del puesto y las ventas
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Videos
Oct 3
Spring Planter Setup - Field Notes
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New farmer-led research available

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Apply for PFI cost-share programs

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Small grains shared learning calls

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Our Programs

Practical Farmers of Iowa works to equip farmers to build resilient farms and communities. Our values include: welcoming everyone; farmers leading the exchange of experience and knowledge; curiosity, creativity, collaboration and community; resilient farms now and for future generations; and stewardship of land and resources. Our programs are guided by the interests and priorities of our members.

Cover Crops Horticulture
Beginning Farmers Livestock
Farmland On-Farm Research
Field Crops Policy

What our friends & partners say

“Breaking into farming is hard — and without support, impossible. Having the support of Practical Farmers of Iowa has enabled me to be a successful farmer.”

Kate Edwards

Iowa City, Iowa

“You guys are SO useful… even from 1,000 miles away.”

Ralph Gauer

Silver City, New Mexico

“Practical Farmers of Iowa is one of the most supportive organizations I have ever been a part of.”

Rory Van Wyk

Winterset, Iowa

“The annual summer forage trial was interesting because it is directly useful for the management of our farm operation and because this type of project has not been well researched yet.”

Dave Schmidt

Exira, Iowa

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