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Newsroom
Welcome to Practical Farmers of Iowa's Newsroom
Thank you for your interest in learning more about our work. Since 1985, PFI has been bringing farmers together to learn from and support one another.
Today, we’re a diverse group of farmers, landowners, friends of farmers and other supporters in Iowa and beyond who believe in working together and sharing knowledge to help build resilient farms and communities.
If you’re looking for a farmer to speak at an event, visit our Find Farmer Speakers page for more information about our work coaching farmers in public speaking and to connect with a farmer.
Featured in the News Highlights
Future Forward Documentary Series: The Future of Farming
2023 The Climate PledgeDescription
Unprecedented heavy rains (a consequence of extreme weather caused by climate change) can take inches off of topsoil in minutes, destroying a farmer’s harvest, threatening their livelihood and impacting the quality of their soil for generations to come. Also impacted are the companies that rely on these farmers to source local ingredients for their products. Unilever is tackling this complex challenge head-on by partnering with Practical Farmers of Iowa to protect and improve soil through regenerative farming practices. But can they convince often risk-averse farmers across the state and beyond?
Publish Date
April 4, 2023
How women in Iowa are leading farmland conservation efforts
2020 PBS NewshourDescription
Each year, produce like corn and soybeans are grown on millions of acres of Iowa farmland. While the bulk of the farming is conducted by men, roughly half of the state's farmland is owned, or co-owned, by women.
Publish Date
March 7, 2020
Where the Produce Includes Pepperoni: The Pizza Farm
2020 The New York TimesGrowing alternative crops in Iowa can bring risks and rewards
2020 Cedar Rapids GazetteDescription
Many Iowa farmers are seeking alternatives to just corn and soybeans as a way to reduce risk, replenish the soil and improve water quality.
Publish Date
October 8, 2020
The Way Climate Change Unites Us
2019 Yes! MagazineDescription
You might think farming without pesticides would get easier over time, but you’d be wrong.
Publish Date
November 12, 2019
Can sustainable farming save Iowa’s precious soil and water?
2019 PBS NewshourDescription
Iowa is a powerhouse producer of corn and soybeans. But all the industrial farming has come at a cost to the environment.
Publish Date
October 12, 2019
News Releases
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Connect with PFI
PFI is all about building resilient communities. We welcome everyone, and our community extends far beyond our membership and Iowa’s borders. We encourage you to explore the many ways to connect with PFI, and to be part of our community.
Learn more about our events
From field days, farminars and workshops to our annual conference, Practical Farmers hosts many events throughout the year to help farmers connect with and learn from each other.
Farmer-Led Research
Farmers in Practical Farmers’ Cooperators’ Program conduct on-farm research to better answer their most challenging farming questions. Since 1987 when the Cooperators’ Program began, more than 240 different farmers have conducted nearly 1,300 research trials on their farms.