Published Nov 11, 2024

Registration Open for PFI’s 2025 Annual Conference
By Elizabeth Wilhelm
Conference features 100+ speakers, encourages farmer-to-farmer learning

Contact: Elizabeth Wilhelm | Senior Media Relations Coordinator | (515) 232-5661 | elizabeth.wilhelm@practicalfarmers.org

AMES, Iowa (Nov. 11, 2024) — Practical Farmers of Iowa invites all farmers, landowners and friends of farmers to two days of learning and networking at the PFI 2025 Annual Conference, taking place Jan. 10-11 at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines, Iowa.

Registration for the conference – one of PFI’s longest-running and most popular farmer-led events – is now open.

“We’re excited to have more sessions than ever this year,” says Liz Kolbe, PFI’s farmer-led education director. “With more than 70 sessions, 90 exhibitors and 100 speakers covering everything from row crops to business planning to grazing to vegetable production, there really is something for everyone.”

Since PFI’s founding, the annual conference has been a keystone event for thousands of farmers to hear creative solutions and ideas from other farmers, build connections and celebrate agriculture in Iowa.

 

Conference highlights include:

 

  • A Saturday keynote by Eric Lee-Mäder, the co-founder and principal at Northwest Meadowscapes. Eric will highlight success stories of conservation farming that sometimes blur the lines between nature and agriculture, and which provide us with clues to what a multi-century vision of Iowa farming could look like.
  • Session topics that span the agricultural spectrum, including conventional and organic field crops, soil health, pasture-based livestock, crop-livestock systems, fruit and vegetable production, precision conservation, on-farm habitat, landowner resources, farmland access, pest and weed management, farm business basics and more.
  • A full track of Spanish-language sessions.
  • An evening of storytelling by PFI farmers sharing skillfully narrated true stories.
  • Presentation of PFI’s 2025 Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award.
  • Three optional pre-conference short courses: “Charting the Steps of Farm Succession”; “Strawberry Production in Iowa”; and “Extending the Rotation: Finding an Effective Third Crop.” All courses begin Thursday, Jan. 9 in the afternoon and end the morning of Friday, Jan. 10 before the conference starts.

 

New this year: The Midwest Meat Summit, which brings together every part of the meat supply chain to learn, network and build community, will be happening alongside our pre-conference short courses. Farmers, butchers and industry experts are invited to attend.

 

Those who register by Dec. 6 will be entered in a drawing to win two free nights at the Hilton Des Moines Downtown hotel during the conference. PFI strives to keep the conference affordable and offers special rates for members and students.

 

To register and for full details, visit practicalfarmers.org/2025-annual-conference. For questions about the conference, or help registering, please call the office at (515) 232-5661.

Practical Farmers of Iowa’s 2025 Annual Conference is supported by several major sponsors, including: ADM re:generations; Choose Iowa | Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship; Grain Millers Inc.; Niman Ranch; Nordik Meats; and Sunderman Farm Management Co.

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About Practical Farmers: Practical Farmers of Iowa is a nonprofit with more than 8,000 members that equips farmers to build resilient farms and communities. We create learning opportunities via farmer-led events, on-farm research and educational content through our robust network of farmers. We also provide funding and technical assistance to help farmers adopt regenerative farming practices and grow farm businesses. Our vision is an Iowa with healthy soil, healthy food, clean air, clean water, resilient farms and vibrant communities. To learn more, visit http://practicalfarmers.org.