Michael Roelf
Information Systems Manager
mike.roelf@practicalfarmers.org
Michael Roelf joined Practical Farmers of Iowa in March 2022 as the information systems manager. His work focuses on implementing PFI’s digital systems, as well as managing and upgrading the systems that allow staff to focus on the people and projects at PFI.
Michael was born and raised in Iowa City, Iowa. He has many memories of trips from Iowa City to Cedar County, Iowa, visiting his family on farms near Tipton and Clarence. Michael and his wife, Rosemary, purchased part of her family farm in Johnson County, Iowa, where they have converted from row crops to vegetables and started a new farmer incubator.
Throughout this process, they used many PFI resources from and drew on the experiences of its members when acquiring land and planning how to use and conserve it. Prior to joining PFI, Mike spent 35 years working in information systems for education, manufacturing and financial services companies.
When not working at PFI, or on the farm, he volunteers at Farm to Table and the Community Food Bank, and is a member of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors Food Policy Council. For relaxation, he likes to spend time on a beach and fishing.