Two-day, farmer-led event features 70+ sessions and 100+ speakers
Contact: Elizabeth Wilhelm | Senior Media Relations Coordinator | (515) 232-5661 | gro.sremraflacitcarp@mlehliw.htebazile
AMES, Iowa (Oct. 29, 2025) — Practical Farmers of Iowa invites farmers, landowners and friends of farmers to register for the PFI 2026 Annual Conference, happening Jan. 9–10 at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines. The two-day, farmer-led event offers learning and connection for anyone involved in or interested in agriculture.
“This conference really showcases Iowa agriculture at its best. With over 70 sessions, you'll hear directly from the people doing the work – the farmers,” says Liz Kolbe, PFI's senior farmer-led education director. “Whether you're a farmer, work with farmers or just care about where your food comes from, there's something for you.”Since PFI's founding, the annual conference has been a keystone event for thousands of farmers to exchange creative ideas, build connections and celebrate Iowa agriculture. Conference highlights include:
- A Saturday keynote by Amber Lambke, co-founder and CEO of Maine Grains, Inc. She'll discuss how revitalizing Maine's local grain economy has driven economic development at the grassroots level and strengthened community resilience and self-sufficiency.
- More than 70 sessions covering conventional and organic crops, small grains, cover crops, livestock, fruit and vegetable production, on-farm habitat, landowner resources, farmland access, farm business basics and more.
- An evening of storytelling by PFI farmers sharing skillfully narrated true stories.
- Presentation of PFI's 2026 Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award.
- Four optional pre-conference short courses (Thursday, Jan. 8, 10 a.m.–5:15 p.m.):
- “Wholesale-Ready: Preparing Your Farm and Evaluating Opportunities”
- “Field Crops Research Highlights”
- “Poultry Pathways: The Business of Raising Birds for Meat and Eggs”
- “Farm Transition: Taxes and Estate Planning”
