Nearly 60 farms in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin are opening their farm gates for another season of farmer-to-farmer learning.
Learn about a range of topics, from dairy grazing to poultry processing, developing infrastructure to diversifying operations, adding habitat to reducing inputs and more.
Field days are free and open to everyone.
Dale Raasch started growing vegetables commercially in 2007. Since then, Bridgewater Farm has grown into Iowa’s largest certified organic vegetable farm, with 25 acres in production, four high tunnels operating for the past 10 years and eight more high tunnels newly built in spring 2024. Dale and his crew grow a wide variety of produce, including tomatoes, melons, sweet corn, spinach, peppers, carrots, summer and winter squash and more. Bridgewater Farm produce is sold at farmers markets in Omaha and Des Moines and at about 15 Hy-Vee stores in Iowa, though the number of stores is expected to at least double with the extra high tunnel space. As an Iowan and a farmer, Dale is passionate about increasing Iowa’s food security by growing food for our state. And he is eager to share and inspire beginning and emerging farmers to do the same.
Farm Family Meet-Up
Pub on Cedar | 101 N Jackson St, Charles City, IAGrowing Opportunity: Season Extension, Organic Production and Scaling Up at Bridgewater Farm
2409 Brown Ave. | Bridgewater, IA 50837Establishing and Growing a Cover Crop Seeding and Service Business
2451 J Ave. | Stanley, IA 50671Farm Family Meet-Up
Lanark City Park – North Pavilion | N Burns St Lanark, IL 61046Practical 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?
Join or renew your membershipSubscribe to Practical News, our weekly email update.