the Practical Farmer: Winter 2024
Table of Contents
- From the executive director
- Farmland Owner Legacy Award
- Horticulture
- Livestock
- Habitat
- 2024 Field Day Season Photo Recap
- Beginning Farmers
- Field Crops
- Member Book Review
- Member Photos
- PFI News
On the cover:
Farmland Legacy Award winner Tim Kelley (second from right) poses during his field day with some of the people most important to his farm. From left: Brent Nold, tenant farmer; Margaret Kelley, sister; Linda Lonn, partner; and Sam Kelley, brother. Read about Tim’s desire to leave land better for the future.
Farmland Owner Legacy Award
Treating the Land Right
A desire to leave his land better for the future has guided Tim Kelley’s 30-year journey to steward his soil.
Horticulture
Shifting Gears
As their needs have changed over the years, three Iowa vegetable farms have adapted their operations to meet the present and plan for the future.
Livestock
A Practice in Faith
Arlyn and Sue Kauffman are living out their faith through farm, family and community.
Habitat
Neighbors in Conservation
For two eastern Iowa farmers, conservation has fostered connection – along with personal and financial rewards.
Field Day Photos
2024 Field Day Season
See images of learning, connection, food and fun from the second half of our 2024 field day season.
Beginning Farmers
Learning Sin Pelos en la Lengua
By leading field days fully in Spanish, Jenny Horner and Emilio Moreno helped Spanish-speaking farmers access authentic farmer-to-farmer learning.
Field Crops
Bridging the Gap
For two PFI farm families, thriving as multigenerational operations hinges on trust, respect and an openness to change.
PFI News
Meet the Newest Staff Members of PFI’s Team
Tracy Engel
Senior Geospatial Data Coordinator
Read Tracy’s bio
Cory Gamble
Field Crops Viability Coordinator
Read Cory’s bio
Shawn Hanson
Finance Manager
Read Shawn’s bio
Kyleigh Meyeres
Grants Coordinator
Read Kyleigh’s bio
Roberta Bianchin Rebesquini
Cropping Systems Research Coordinator
Read Roberta’s bio
Becca Snider
Finance Assistant
Read Becca’s bio
Beth Waage
Field Crops Education Coordinator
Read Beth’s bio
Bryan White
Office Manager
Read Bryan’s bio
On-Farm Research Corner
Investigating Seedling Starting Practices Through On-Farm Research
Jill Beebout and her partner, Sean Skeehan
Turning on the grow lights or the heater in the greenhouse is an exciting harbinger of spring for many vegetable farmers, as it usually signals the annual ritual of getting seedlings started. This task, however, is a repetitive chore that takes time, energy and materials – which also makes it ideal for experimentation, as small changes could lead to big improvements in efficiency.
Over the years, vegetable farmers in PFI’s Cooperators’ Program have conducted three on-farm trials exploring seed-starting practices. Jill Beebout, a longtime cooperator, took part in two of these (she also recently received PFI’s Master Researcher Award honoring the 20 trials and nine PFI field days she’s done over the years). She notes that “seed-starting is a foundationally important part of our operation. We grow 99% of the transplants we use, so improving that process makes a lot of sense.”
In a seed-starting trial last spring, five farms tested whether covering their brassica seeds with soil when starting them in trays affects germination rates and transplant viability. Participants included Jill Beebout, Hannah Breckbill and Emily Fagan, Natasha Hegmann and Pete Kerns, Roxanne Mitten and Carly and Ethan Zierke. Three out of the five farms found that covering brassica seeds resulted in higher germination rates (15% on average). One farm found that covering resulted in 15% more plants that were healthy enough to be transplanted. Farmers concluded they would continue covering their brassica seeds, though some said they might skip it if they were pressed for time.
This was beginning farmer Ethan Zierke’s first trial with the Cooperators’ Program, and he is excited to continue using trials to fine-tune his practices. “There are countless things we do daily because we think we need to,” Ethan says. “It’s always a good feeling to implement a practice that is supported by experience and data.”
Jill Beebout says that over her farming career, her 20 research trials have been invaluable for challenging misconceptions, solidifying processes and drilling down on profitability of practices, including starting seedlings.
Even when a trial has shown that her original practice is sound and changes aren’t needed, the affirmation helps erase doubt. Jill’s advice to new on-farm researchers: Don’t underestimate the amount of work a trial takes and take on too many, or you’ll be grumpy come summer. “When you are starting, pick one easy and important trial to do,” Jill says. “At the end of a trial, I have never regretted doing it.”
Want to dig deeper?
To learn even more about this and other projects going back to 1988, we encourage you to explore the research reports on our website at practicalfarmers.org/research.
Interested in conducting a research trial to hone your seed-starting system or any other practice on your farm?
Contact Emma Link at emma.link(at)practicalfarmers(dot)org or (515) 232-5661 to learn about joining PFI’s Cooperators’ Program.