Grinnell farmers Suzanne Castello and Barney Bahrenfuse receive PFI’s 2025 Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award
Award honors agricultural leaders creating vibrant communities, healthy food and diverse farms
Contact: Elizabeth Wilhelm | Senior Media Relations Coordinator | (515) 232-5661 | elizabeth.wilhelm@practicalfarmers.org
AMES, Iowa (Dec. 11, 2024) — Suzanne Castello and Barney Bahrenfuse, owners of a diversified crop and livestock farm near Grinnell, Iowa, have received the 2025 Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award from Practical Farmers of Iowa.
The award is given each year by PFI to an individual or couple that has shown exemplary commitment to sustainable agriculture, generously shared their knowledge with others and been influential in efforts to foster vibrant communities, diverse farms and healthy food.
“Suzanne and Barney embody the community that PFI treasures,” says Sally Worley, PFI’s executive director. “They are intentional at welcoming new faces, generous with sharing knowledge and heartily support their PFI friends and peers. We are thrilled to honor them and their contributions with this award.”
Suzanne and Barney will be presented the award on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 12:30 p.m., at the Iowa Events Center during PFI’s 2025 Annual Conference in Des Moines. For more information and to register, visit practicalfarmers.org/2025-annual-conference.
About Suzanne and Barney
Suzanne and Barney share a clear vision for their 500-acre, diversified crop and livestock farm near Grinnell, Iowa. Together, they raise cattle, sheep, chickens, hogs, hay, oats, corn and organic soybeans and sell their meat to local customers.
Their predominantly pasture-based farm uses several practices to build diversity and maintain soil health including mob grazing and diverse cover crop mixes. They also use a rotavator, which allows them to incorporate large amounts of green manure into the soil with shallow tillage, causing minimal soil disturbance.
Both longtime PFI members, the two first crossed paths at a PFI Annual Conference, and they’ve been farming together – and married – for the past 18 years. They have hosted field days, served as mentors to beginning farmers and attended nearly every annual conference.
Barney, who became a member in the 1990s, has also served on the PFI board of directors. “PFI – it’s our community,” he says. “Knowing that you have someone to talk to makes all the difference.”
The couple’s innovative spirit and commitment to sustainability has influenced others, from neighbors adopting similar grazing techniques to students visiting their farm to learn about regenerative farming. For Suzanne and Barney, farming is more than just raising livestock and crops; it’s about helping future generations, building community and nurturing the land.
“Farming the way we do is about listening and asking, ‘What does the land want?’” Suzanne says. Barney agrees, adding, “It’s all about diversity – diversity of people, plants and bugs. When there’s more diversity, things are better.”
For more information about the Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award or to see previous recipients, please visit practicalfarmers.org/sustainable-agriculture-achievement-award.
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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.