Published Apr 10, 2020
Photos from the 2020 Annual Conference
By Practical Farmers of Iowa
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- Keynote speaker Nicole Masters (left), an agroecologist from New Zealand, signs her book for conference coordinator Kathy Eastman.
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- PFI staff and conference attendees applaud Paul Mugge as prepares to accept PFI’s 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award.
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- AmeriCorps members Phoebe Eichhorst and Hannah Grosspietsch lead a PFI youth session about bees as pollinators and the important role they play on our planet.
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- David Brown, behavioral health state specialist for ISU Extension and Outreach, speaks during his session about stress on the farm.
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- The annual potluck is always a well-attended and highly anticipated event – even during January blizzards! Our potluck this year moved to CityChurch of Ames-Des Moines, not far from the previous location.
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- Wilbur De La Rosa, of Main Street Project, speaks during his session about integrating poultry into perennial crop systems.
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- Two conference-goers brave the ice and snow as they make their way to the warm and welcoming Scheman Building.
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- Lee Tesdell (left) and John Whitaker are deep in conversation as they finish their lunch on Saturday.
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- Bridget Williams (right) converses with friends during a snack break at the conference.
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- Maryann Mathis (left) and Mary Cory laugh and converse during a mid-morning break.
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- Nicole Masters delivers her keynote address to a full house in Benton Auditorium about the Bottom-Line Benefits of Building Resilience.
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- Conference volunteers Patsy and Paul Carlson (left and center) have a chance to chat with other guests during the annual conference potluck.
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- Guests peruse the new silent auction special experiences proferred by members, which ranged from breadbaking and wild game cooking classes to a guided birdwatching walk, one-on-one agroforestry session and more.
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- Sarah Foltz Jordan (left), of Xerces Society, shows some insects to Terry Troxel at the society’s sponsor booth.
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- Sarah Nizzi (right) takes part in a small-group policy discussion for fruit and vegetable farmers.
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- Conference attendees visit the many sponsor booths in Scheman.
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- A group of farmers from Global Greens in Des Moines go through the lunch line and pile their plates with delicious food.
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- Paul Mugge delivers his acceptance speech after receiving PFI’s 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award.
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- Scott Koepke (left) and David Rosmann (right) take their turn in the Saturday All-Iowa lunch line. The meal is a highlight, featuring locally sourced or crafted items.
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- Eileen Fisher takes notes during Mark Quee and Sarah Foltz Jordan’s session on “The How and Why of On-Farm Pollinator Habitat.”
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- Faith Gilbert, of New York, talks about the rich tradition of cooperative and collaborative businesses in the food system.
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- Matt Scotton, physical therapist and athletic trainer, teaches attendees about the importance of physical strengthening and improving your health during this fun, interactive session.
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- Jennifer O’ Neal and her husband, Adam, discuss how they have scaled up their flower operation and added workshops and events to their farm in Winterset.
