Published May 6, 2011

PRESS RELEASE: PFI Awards Youth Mini Grants
By Ann Seuferer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2011

Contact:
Ann Seuferer | Practical Farmers of Iowa | 515.232.5661 | ann@practicalfarmers.org
Sally Worley | Practical Farmers of Iowa | 515.232.5661 | sally@practicalfarmers.org

Practical Farmers of Iowa Announces Youth Mini Grant Recipients

AMES, Iowa – Practical Farmers of Iowa is delighted to announce their 2011 youth grant recipients. This program provides expense reimbursement for Iowa’s future farmers to conduct on-farm research and demonstration.

This is the first year that Practical Farmers of Iowa has offered research and demonstration grants to youth. In the past the organization has offered a youth camp, but decided to replace the camp with a grant program so up and coming farmers can learn how to explore farm solutions first-hand.

“Practical Farmers of Iowa has conducted on-farm research and demonstration since its beginnings in 1985,” says Jeff Klinge, a board member who helped select grant recipients. “It makes sense to use this hands-on learning model to help our next generation learn how to find solutions for the obstacles they encounter when trying to raise crops or livestock.”

Practical Farmers of Iowa is presenting up to $250 for each project. Recipients are exploring a diverse set of questions, from keeping goats from escaping to protecting crops from insects organically. They will report their findings via an interview for the Practical Farmer, Practical Farmers of Iowa’s newsletter, and by means of a poster at the annual conference. Recipients are:

• Carrie Hermann (for Urban Dreams AgCulture), Ames
• Mason Osborne, Jefferson
• Melanie Honey Philavanh, Milo
• Heidi and HolliAnna Fank, Boone
• Scott and Luke Fank, Boone
• William Roland, Storm Lake
• Maria Elisabeth Roland, Storm Lake
• Peter James Roland, Storm Lake
• Sophia Roland, Storm Lake
• Jim Russ (for FFA Local Foods Project), New Hampton
• Victoria, Christy, Barak, and Reuben Fall, Jefferson
• Sarah Daisy, Glidden

Founded in 1985, Practical Farmers of Iowa is an open, supportive and diverse organization of farmers and friends of farmers, advancing profitable, ecologically sound and community-enhancing approaches to agriculture through farmer-to-farmer networking, farmer-led investigation and information sharing. Farmers in our network produce corn, soybeans, beef cattle, hay, fruits and vegetables, and more. For additional information, call 515.232.5661 or visit practicalfarmers.org.

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