Publications
the Practical Farmer: Spring 2026
In This Issue
Where Local Took Root
Meet the farmer behind one of Iowa’s first community-supported agriculture farms In 1988, Laura Krouse purchased 72 acres of land outside of Mount Vernon, Iowa.…
Making Our Voices Heard
This February, I had the privilege to visit Washington, D.C., as part of a farmer fly-in organized by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. Shaffer Ridgeway…
Giving and Growing: Spotlighting Practical Farmers' Donors
We are pleased to launch this new magazine section that spotlights Practical Farmers’ donors. This column will feature farmers plus others who support PFI through…
On-Farm Research Corner
The program was still 30 minutes from starting, but the coffee was hot and people were already streaming past the registration table. The 2025 Cooperators’…
Taking Action for Water
PFI members are working to flip the script of water quality in Iowa – and showing how individual efforts can lead to positive change. The…
Currents of Change: Supporting Cleaner Water
Tammy Deal's dogs Zoey and Gracie gaze upon a blue-green algae bloom in Lake Panorama, caused by an excess of nitrogen and phosphorus in the…
A Different Way To Own Land
Land-based condominiums offer a creative path to farmland access In nearly every decision she makes – as a farmer, land steward and advocate for beginning…
Making Way for Shrooms
Kevin Novak of Flavor Country Farms sells mushrooms to restaurants in the Omaha, Nebraska, area. Iowa farmers are growing mushrooms in a variety of spaces…
No Bull About It
Paul Quam on his farm near Jefferson, Iowa. Artificial insemination has advantages and disadvantages. But when farmers are clear about their goals, it can help…
