CHELSEA, Iowa — They might not be “true” unicorns, but some of the goats raised by Adam Ledvina could pass for the mythical creatures, with a single horn jutting out of their head. Ledvina raises Kiko goats, a variety domesticated from feral goats in New Zealand, on the family farm in rural Chelsea. He shared […]
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Tag: Practical Farmers of Iowa
Practical Farmers of Iowa brings farmers...
AMES, Iowa – Seasoned and aspiring farmers learned how cover crops can protect Iowa’s soil and water, brainstormed ways to revive rural communities and explored dozens of other topics during the 2019 Practical Farmers of Iowa conference. About 800 participants from throughout Iowa and beyond braved a winter snowstorm to join in the “Cultivating Connections” […]
Challenges to Iowa vegetable growers add...
For vegetable growers, some crops can be more challenging to grow than others. Practical Farmers of Iowa’s 2019 annual conference, Jan. 17-19 in Ames, will feature three sessions focused on specific crops — cauliflower, eggplant and storage onions — that present unique challenges to Iowa’s vegetable farmers. These sessions are among a suite of offerings […]
Iowa farmer chosen for sustainability aw...
Practical Farmers of Iowa announced today that Earl Hafner was chosen for the 2018 Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award, to be presented this Friday, Jan. 19, at the Scheman Building in Ames, during Practical Farmers’ 2018 annual conference. I had a great time touring the Hafner farm in western Iowa – during much warmer weather – […]
Practical Farmers tests compost/heating ...
The Practical Farmers of Iowa group is always looking for ways to make Iowa farming more sustainable. That includes the expenses involved, as well as the resources used in production. This latest innovative project holds promise in holding down costs while using a renewable energy source. It just makes sense. Here is more about a […]
Solon woman receives Sustainable Agricul...
Susan Jutz, of ZJ Farm in Solon, was named the recipient of Practical Farmers of Iowa’s 2014 Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award. Practical Farmers’ Tamsyn Jones notes that the award has been granted annually since 1990 to someone who has shown exemplary commitment to sustainable agriculture, generously shared his or her knowledge with others and been […]
Practical Farmers of Iowa conference is ...
The Practical Farmers of Iowa annual conference later this month will highlight farm management and budgeting to improve fruit and vegetable farmers’ profitability, along with much more. Among the speakers that will interest many fruit and vegetable producers are veteran vegetable farmer Laura Frerichs of Hutchinson, Minn., and high tunnel expert Adam Montri of Bath, […]
Farming advice offered through online Pr...
Farmers in need of advice on atypical crop insurance, marketing their food and much more can find answers from other farmers during the Practical Farmers of Iowa fall “farminar” series. The free, online sessions begin Nov. 5 and are open to anyone with Internet access. Here is more from Practical Farmers of Iowa:
Practical Farmers of Iowa Launches 100 D...
The age of farmers in this country averages in the 60s, so finding new farmers is an important task. Practical Farmers of Iowa has made numerous efforts with mentoring and other programs to forward that goal. The group is now launching a campaign to help with those efforts. Here is more about the campaign from […]
Unveiling the mystery of CSAs
Even as they grow in numbers, Community Supported Agriculture programs remain a mystery to many Iowans. Members of the programs, known as CSAs, pay an annual fee upfront to receive weekly shares of a farm’s fresh produce for several months during the growing season. In return, the farmers have a guaranteed source of income