Published Jan 9, 2025

Farmers Invited to Practical Farmers of Iowa’s 2025 Winter Webinar Series
By Elizabeth Wilhelm
Free virtual events provide opportunities to learn practical insights, connect with other farmers during winter season

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

AMES, Iowa (Jan. 9, 2025) —  Farmers looking to learn this winter are invited to participate in PFI’s 2025 winter webinar series. Running Jan. 21 – April 15, the series features 13 free webinars covering topics relevant to both new and experienced row crop, livestock, and horticulture farmers, as well as landowners.

“Winter webinars are an easy way for farmers to stay connected, share experiences, and continue learning during the colder months,” says Vanya North, PFI’s habitat education coordinator. “Each webinar gives practical insights that can help farmers improve their operations and explore new ideas – all from the comfort of their farm.”

 

All webinars are held on Tuesdays, from noon to 1 p.m. Central Time from January to April. The events are free to attend and open to all. Each presentation focuses on a unique production or business management topic and is led by a farmer or subject-matter expert. Attendees can ask questions in real time using a chat box during the presentations.

Winter webinars schedule:

  • Jan. 21: “Using CRP To Foster Biodiversity on a 160-Acre Iowa Farm” – Clarissa Bruns & Bill Anderson
  • Jan. 28: “Farmers and Food Hubs: A How-To Guide for Getting Started” – Matt Johnson, Tommy Hexter & Nicole Jonas
  • Feb. 4: “How Do Small Grains Grow and Develop? Harnessing This Knowledge To Improve Management” – Margaret Smith
  • Feb. 11: “How To Sell 300 CSAs in 48 Hours: Cultivating Online Engagement and Converting It to Sales” – Steve Strasheim & Corinna Bench
  • Feb. 18: “Soil Studies: Exploring Creative Residue Management and Soil Amendments in a Four-Crop Rotation” – Norm Lamothe
  • Feb. 25: “Dying To Start Dyeing? Raising, Processing and Marketing Wool” – Emily Tzeng
  • March 4: “Building Partnerships for Conservation: A Farmer-Tenant Collaboration in Northeast Iowa” – Mary Damm
  • March 11: “Optimal Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Corn” – Sotirios Archontoulis
  • March 18: “Building and Maintaining Fair Lease Agreements” – Rachel Armstrong
  • March 25: “The Advantages of Cover Crops” – Kristin and Pat Duncanson
  • April 1: “Watering Systems for Graziers” – Dave Schmidt
  • April 8: “Getting Going With Grazing” – Olivia Pacha
  • April 15: “Preparación para las Reuniones de Acceso a la Tierra” – Joe Klingelhutz

Spanish-Language Webinar: The final webinar of the season, presented in Spanish and led by farmland access navigator Joe Klingelhutz, will provide tips for beginning farmers seeking access to land.

To participate: Go to practicalfarmers.org/winter-webinars, click the “Register” button under the webinar you are interested in, fill out the form and you will be emailed a link to join the online event. A schedule of all upcoming webinars – plus recordings of archived webinars – is also available at that link.

Practical Farmers’ 2025 winter webinars are supported by Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) grant no. F9000315202081 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture; Builders Initiative; CleanwaterIowa.org; Conservation Innovation Grants through the Natural Resources Conservation Service no. NR223A750013G028 through a subaward with Pheasants Forever; Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship; Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Division of Soil Conservation and Water Quality; National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, with support from NRCS and ADM; National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, with support from NRCS, Cargill, Inc, and Nestle USA; and U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number NR236114XXXXG003.

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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.