It’s our fall member drive! Join or renew as a member to stay connected and benefit from programming that builds resilient farms and communities.
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.
Tom and Robin Cummings operate TRC Farms near Redfield, Iowa, growing cereal rye, soybeans and hay. Their journey growing rye started about 12 years ago when a neighbor asked Tom to help harvest the rye for a portion of the seed, which Tom decided to continue growing. That pivotal moment brought the Cummings to where they are today. Working together, and with help from family and neighbors, they harvest and clean rye for cover crop seed and produce up to 40,000 square bales per year to sell at Bomgaars and Tractor Supply stores in their area. They credit their market success to hard work, creativity and relationship-building.
Field Day - Strength in Straw: Making the Most of a Rye Crop
Redfield, IAField Day - Lard-Based Value-Added Products
Clear Lake, IAField Day - Layering Land Management: Combining In-Field and Edge-of-Field Practices for Water Quality and Soil Health
Reinbeck, IAField Day - Agritourism, Infrastructure and Collaboration at Long Walk Farm
Council Bluffs, IAPractical 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.
Kate Edwards
Iowa City, Iowa
Ralph Gauer
Silver City, New Mexico
Rory Van Wyk
Winterset, Iowa
Dave Schmidt
Exira, Iowa
Want to join our incredible community of innovative farmers, enlightened consumers and forward-thinking agricultural and environmental professionals?
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