Farmers Margaret Smith of Hampton and Tim Youngquist of Zearing join PFI's board of directors

Contact: Elizabeth Wilhelm | Media Relations Coordinator | (515) 232-5661 | gro.s1778685799remra1778685799flaci1778685799tcarp1778685799@mleh1778685799liw.h1778685799tebaz1778685799ile1778685799

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AMES, Iowa (Feb. 26, 2024) — Margaret Smith, who farms near Hampton, and Tim Youngquist, who farms near Kiron, are the newest additions to Practical Farmers of Iowa's board of directors. They were among three individuals elected in January by PFI members to join or renew their tenure on the 12-person board of directors.   Margaret and Tim are each starting their first terms as farmer at-large board members and will serve for three years. Along with other board members, they will ensure that farmer priorities continue to guide and ground Practical Farmers' work.  

Margaret Smith and her husband, Doug Alert, operate Ash Grove Farm, a diversified, certified organic crop and livestock operation near Hampton, Iowa. Margaret is a forage agronomist for Albert Lea Seed with previous experience working for ISU Extension and Outreach and Iowa State University's Department of Agronomy.   Margaret and Doug are also lifetime PFI members and on-farm research cooperators. In 2019, they received the Practical Farmers' Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award.

“As PFI grows, we must continue to serve our varied farmer members with focus and integrity,” Margaret says. “I'm excited to join the board and be a part of this continued service to Iowa farmers and the Iowa land that sustains us all.”

 

Tim Youngquist is a lifetime PFI member who farms corn and soybeans on his family's heritage farm near Kiron, along with his wife, Mandy, and his parents, Dennis and Ann Youngquist. He has overseen the creation of buffer strips using native prairie in fields and riparian zones on his family land. Tim also grows and harvests prairie for native plant propagation.   Tim serves as the farmer liaison for ISU's STRIPS program, where he helps farmers and landowners implement prairie strips on their farmland.

“PFI is made up of a growing group of farmers and landowners who care deeply about the state of Iowa,” Tim says. “I'm thankful to be welcomed into this community, and excited to spread the word about ways farmers can increase positive outcomes for both their bottom line and the environment.”

 

Jon Bakehouse was re-elected to serve his second term as director for PFI's southwest district. Jon farms with his wife Tina, son Anderson and parents near Hastings. The Bakehouses are lifetime PFI members who raise corn and soybeans, and a small cow-calf herd. They practice no-till, extended cash crop rotations that include pasture, plant cover crops and use managed grazing techniques. Jon also serves as PFI's board treasurer.   Practical Farmers board members serve in many capacities, from ensuring PFI is fiscally sound and our programs remain effective and farmer-focused, to providing leadership, advice and direction to staff.   These individuals are among the hundreds of Practical Farmers of Iowa members who serve in leadership roles within the organization, working in ways as diverse as hosting field days, conducting on-farm research, speaking with the media, serving on committees, volunteering at events, mentoring beginning farmers – and more.

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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 https://practicalfarmers.org.