Greg Padget

Beginning Farmer Viability Manager

Greg Padget joined Practical Farmers of Iowa in 2016. As the beginning farmer viability manager, he helps beginning farmers in their first 10 years of farming access business development and mentoring programs, peer networks and technical assistance to support their effort to start resilient farming businesses.

Growing up on his family farm in eastern Iowa sparked a life of involvement in different sectors of agriculture. After graduating with a degree in agriculture business from Kirkwood Community College and obtaining his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Mt. Mercy College, Greg moved to Des Moines to pursue his love for agriculture. Working at places such as Living History Farms and Whole Foods Market gave him a diverse background in many aspects of farming and marketing food.

Greg continues to build on his passion for agriculture and growing rural communities through the farm he and his family operate in Newton, Iowa. There, he raises Shetland sheep, Dexter cattle and chickens while regenerating the land to feed his family.

Read Greg’s work