This is part 1 of 3.
THE PRACTICAL FARMER
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF PRACTICAL FARMERS OF IOWA
VOL 13, #3 FALL 1998
I N T H I S I S S U E
1^ Annual Meeting Program
4^ Sustainable Ag Award
5^ Friday Night Is Family Night
6^ Board Elections at Annual Meeting
7^ Conference Help Wanted
7^ Winter Meeting Child Care Options on Saturday
8^ The Editor Muses
Nan Bonfils
8^ Notes and Notices
Attorney General Cautions
Food System Conference
North of the Border
PFI Women's Retreat
Swine System Cinference
Midwest Organic Conference
Holistic Management Training
Ads and Opportunities
11^ Projects Proposal Form
13^ Family Farms Host Tour
Bauer & Carpenter
14^ PFI Library Update
14^ New Pasture Management Guide
Merlin Pfannkuch
17^ Organic Future Looks Bright Meet Kathleen Delate
18^ PFI Research & Iowa Farm Bureau
Rick Exner
18^ Women's Survey
19^ Rollin' the Cob:
Weed Management
22^ Field to Family Project Report
Robert Karp & Gary Huber
22^ Producers Needed for Scheman Project
23^ 1997 OnFarm Trials, Part III
Reading Numbers, Knowing Terms
Planting Trials
Tillage and Weeds
Intercropping w. Bt & Rootworm
Organic vs. Conv. Corn Budget
28^ P and K in NT and RT Soybeans
Rick Exner
31^ 'Footprints' Hiatus
32^ Bits of Sustenance:
Evolution of a Small Business
Connie Lawrance
34^ Correspondence
34^ PFI Membership Application
INTERNET READERS PLEASE NOTE:
The combination of page number and "^" that appears in the
table of contents is repeated in the text to help in
searches for particular articles. The numbers correspond
roughly to page numbers in the original newsletter. If you
would like to receive the newsletter complete with graphics,
figures and photographs, use the form at the end of this
newsletter to become a member of PFI. We would be pleased
to have you as a member of Practical Farmers of Iowa.
Contact dnexner@iastate.edu if you have a need for downloadable
graphics files of figures and tables.
1^ ANNUAL MEETING TO BRIGHTEN YOUR WINTER
Commodity prices got you down? Weather not cooperating? Cheer
up! Head on over to Ames for a little new year attitude
adjustment at the PFI Annual Meeting and Winter Workshops. If
you haven't circled January 8 and 9, 1999 on your calendar, grab
the pen now. It's your chance to connect with 100's of other PFI
members at the Holiday Inn Gateway Conference Center. Our two
keynote speakers, Loren Kruse and Odessa Piper, will enliven you.
Odessa Piper joins us from Madison, Wisconsin, where she is head
chef and proprietor at L'Etoile Restaurant. Odessa is committed
to regional reliance. The local farmers market outside
L'Etoile's front door supplies inspiration and raw materials for
Odessa and her menus. "I believe that respect for nature and all
that grows is the beginning of the understanding of good food.
Choosing lovingly grown food from within our region keeps our
communities intact. This is the happy result of sustainable
agriculture."
Seasonal menus at L'Etoile, established in 1976, showcase
ingredients procured directly from local organic farms, even in
the coldest months. "We strive to work with ingredients that are
cultivated in accordance with their natural cycles and are grown
in their native and adapted soils." Piper's restaurant serves
pork from Niman Ranch, Inc., in California. A number of PFI
producers are now sending pigs to Niman.
In addition to assisting many local initiatives for sustainable
food choices, Odessa is a consultant to The Center for Integrated
Agricultural Systems at the University of Wisconsin Madison.
Odessa serves on the board of Chefs Collaborative 2000, a
national organization of chefs working in collaboration with
farmers, communities and educators to teach and promote
sustainable food choices for the next century. She believes that
articulating and supporting the connections between farmers,
soil, cooks and the local economy is crucial. She promises to be
practical, anecdotal, and inspirational.
You will have at least three opportunities to engage with Odessa.
First, she will be on hand for Friday Family Night on January 8.
This informal evening at the South Prairie Room at the Gateway
Holiday Inn begins at 7:30 P.M. with two cash bars one for ice
cream sundaes and another for liquid refreshments and music and
dancing from the Pretty Good Band. Odessa Piper will treat you to
a tale or two at 8:00 P.M. and then the band plays on.
Next, Odessa will speak to all conference participants on
Saturday morning. Her title will be Spirit of Place, the meaning
and practice of regional reliance. In keeping with Odessa's
themes, the Iowa Bounty lunch following her presentation will
feature products from PFI farms.
Finally, Odessa will sit in on a Saturday afternoon panel on
Local Food Systems for Regional Reliance. Robert Karp, from
PFI's Field to Family Project, will guide the panel, which will
provide an excellent follow up to Odessa's earlier sessions. PFI
members Carol Hunt, Kamyar Enshayan, and David Tousain will also
join the panel.
Odessa's visit is made possible by a grant from the Leopold
Center for Sustainable Agriculture.
Loren Kruse, is a writer familiar to many of us as he is
currently the Editor in Chief of Successful Farming magazine. He
also owns and manages a crop, livestock, and Christmas tree farm
in Grundy County, Iowa. So when he strides to the podium, he
knows from whence he speaks. Loren will kick things off on
Saturday morning with his ideas on How to Grow More Joy in the
Farming Business, and who doesn't need to hear about that? We
know that at least one of his points will be about giving back
generously, and we are very thankful that Loren has chosen to
spend a Saturday with us.
Loren writes, "While there is no consensus government solution to
the problems of our broad industry of agriculture, there are
thousands of individual solutions for farms to be strong and
sustainable. Those solutions can be found right on the farm and
within the minds of farmers themselves. PFI is a great example of
farmers working together to find and share practical ideas they
can take right to the field, barn, or market."
More Choices
In addition to these highlights, there are many other fine
workshops from which to choose. There are sixteen concurrent
sessions on Saturday, all made by possible by the generous
participation of PFI members and professionals they have
recommended. Full program notes will be available in January,
but here are a few highlights to whet your appetite.
Dr. Margaret Mellon, from the Union of Concerned Scientists,
Washington D.C., will join in two workshops. In GMOs: Updates,
Assumptions and Concerns Mardi will provide an update on the
commercialization of transgenic crop technology. She will
discuss national and international transgenic crop acreage,
environmental and health risks of transgenic crops new
allergens, outcrossing, and effects on beneficials and the
possible loss of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) as a result of
resistance. Margaret, who goes by Mardi, is eager for
conversation with farmers so bring your ideas and opinions.
The second workshop, called Seeds for the Future, is a
freewheeling discussion of where current trends are taking U.S.
agriculture. What role will farmers play in the future
independent entrepreneurs, contract growers, wage laborers? Will
the engine of agricultural innovation shift completely to the
private sector? In an era of sterile seeds, global trade, and
vertical integration, what will be the relationship of producers
and consumers? Round table discussion includes Mardi, Ricardo
Salvador, ISU Agronomy, and Donald Duvick, affiliate ISU
professor of plant breeding and formerly Vice President for
Research at Pioneer HiBred. All voices welcome.
Margaret has a Ph.D. in molecular biology with postdoctoral
experience in animal viruses. She is also a lawyer. She has
been with the Union of Concerned Scientists for six years, after
eight years with the National Wildlife Federation working on
genetic engineering. Mardi says, " I'm delighted to be coming to
Ames to talk with you and learn from the Practical Farmers of
Iowa about biotechnology. PFI sees agriculture whole as an
economic activity, a relationship with our environment, and a way
of life. This is the only context within which to address the
momentous changes underway in agriculture under the banner of
biotechnology."
If you're concerned about the loss of Iowa's farmlands and
natural areas, you may want to connect with LaVon Griffieon, an
Ankeny farmer, and Representative Ed Fallon. These two will team
up for a workshop on facing the challenges of urban sprawl. They
represent, among other things, 1000 Friends of Iowa, a nonprofit
group committed to "our farms and rural communities, our urban
neighborhoods, our woodlands, prairies, and wetlands, our
historical and cultural landscapes."
Representative Ed Fallon has worked in the Iowa Legislature for
six years, representing the northcentral Des Moines area. Land
use issues are a priority for him. His efforts led to the
legislative action that created a statewide commission to deal
with these issues. An avid urban gardener, Ed is dedicated to
revitalizing the urban neighborhood where he lives.
LaVon Griffieon was raised on a northwest Iowa farm and these
days farms with her husband, Craig, and four children, on over
900 acres just north of Ankeny. LaVon is commited to rural
education for urban youth and adults. Her well chosen words
frequently appear in the Des Moines Register.
Soil Quality and Weed Management: What's the Connection?
presented by Matt Liebman, ISU Department of Agronomy. Many
farmers seek to improve soil quality through the use of forage
and green manure crops, livestock manures, composts, and other
organic amendments. Data from corn, dry bean, and potato
cropping systems indicate that organic soil amendments can
improve weed management as well as soil quality. Ecological
factors and farming practices that contribute to weed suppression
in soils receiving organic amendments will be discussed.
Outlook on Organics Kathleen Delate, ISU organic specialist,
will provide an update on organic crop production research
across six sites in Iowa. Copresenters Larry Cleverley, Ron
Rosmann, and Larry Boes, will open a discussion on the future of
organic farming in Iowa, including marketing and progress on
certification standards.
Hoop House Composting and Manure Management presented by Tom
Richard, ISU Department of Agricultural Biosystem Engineering,
along with a panel of PFI members.
Lessons of Life from CSA PFI member panel with Gary Huber,
Onion Creek Farm, Jan Libbey, One Step at a Time Gardens, & Gary
Guthrie, Growing Harmony Farms.
Pigs, Profits, and Marketing Networks Kendall Thu, University
of Iowa, provides an update on the environmental, public health
and social consequences of industrialized livestock production.
PFI panelists Dan Specht, Ken Rosmann, and Paul Willis represent
a variety of marketing models to provide alternatives.
Cost Cutting Ideas Dave Lubben leads a PFI panel.
Value Added from Beans to Tofu and Beyond a panel featuring PFI
member Tom Lacina, Paul Lang, Natural Products, and Lesley Lloyd,
Optimum Quality Grains.
Women Growing Together a new way to connect guided by PFI
members Virginia Wadsley and Mary Holmes.
Realities in Holistic Veterinary Practices Dr. Randy Kidd, from
McLouth, Kansas, and PFI panel members Steve Weis, Susan
ZacharakisJutz, and Francis Thicke.
"I love my family, BUT..." Multigenerational Farm Family Issues
presented by Beth Fleming, ISU Extension Family Life Specialist.
Having a mix of generations on the family farm makes for lots of
laughter and love, along with a dose of potential trouble. Beth
will guide the group in looking at some issues that may hit close
to home and discovering some ways to resolve potential
conflicts.
Flaming for Weed Management producer round table with Richard
DeWilde, Harmony Valley CSA Viroqua, WI., PFI member Joe
Fitzgerald, farm manager for New Melleray Abbey, and Dennis Lutteke,
Wells, MN.
Farming Without Inheriting Is it possible? Join Duane Sand in
a brainstorming session that tackles some tough questions about
the next generation of farmers. Is there room for small farms
growing conventional commodities? Can a farm employee make the
transition to independent operator? Are there viable models for
becoming a farmer or do we need to create new ones? Where are
the opportunities? What are the niche markets?
If you haven't taken care of your registration, dig out the
poster we sent you or use the form included in this newsletter.
(Internet readers note: pre-registration form available from Nan
Bonfils, 515-294-8512, nanb@iastate.edu.) The preregistration fees
save you money before January 1 and we need to know your plans in
order to prepare food.
Winter Meeting Schedule
Friday evening, January 8
7:30 Registration opens
7:308:30 Makeyourownsundae bar for families
Cash bar for adults
Music from The Pretty Good Band
8:00 Odessa Piper's family fable, then dancing
with the Pretty Good Band until 9:30
Saturday, January 9
7:30 Registration opens
8:30 WelcomePFI President Dave Lubben
8:45 Loren Kruse Growing More Joy
in the Farming Business
9:15 Sustainable Ag Achievement Award
9:30 Break
9:45 Workshops round I
10:45 Odessa Piper Spirit of Place, the
Meaning and Practice of Regional Reliance
11:30 Lunch featuring Iowa grown products
1:00 General meeting
1:20 District meetings
2:00 Workshops round II
3:00 Producer posters and displays
(break with refreshments)
4:00 Workshops round III
4^ Sustainable Ag Achievement Award to Jean Wallace Douglas
Jean Wallace Douglas will receive PFI's Sustainable Agriculture
Achievement Award. Mrs. Douglas is the daughter of the late
Henry A. Wallace, Secretary of Agriculture and VicePresident
under Franklin Roosevelt. She currently serves as President of
the Wallace Genetic Foundation, which distributes grants in the
areas of sustainable agriculture, environmental education and
conservation of natural resources. She is past president of
America The Beautiful, which distributes donations of surplus
seeds from seed companies to thousands of community action
committees, hunger relief projects, community gardens and
environmental projects through its Operation Green Plant program.
She is past president of the Henry A. Wallace Institute for
Alternative Agriculture, located in Greenbelt, Maryland.
Mrs. Douglas strongly believes in the importance of farmland
preservation in order to protect open spaces, to provide sources
of locally grown produce and to continue the tradition of the
family farm. She was an early advocate of alternative farming,
recognizing the potential risk of pesticide usage to the
environment. She stressed the importance of maintaining the
health of our soil and water for future generations.
Mrs. Douglas is the first woman to be selected to receive this
PFI award, which goes to her for her crucial support for
sustainable agriculture in Iowa and elsewhere. This support
includes PFI's firstever grant in 1987, which was vital to PFI's
success. She was also instrumental in establish the Henry A.
Wallace Endowed Chair for Sustainable Agriculture at ISU.
Mrs. Douglas is married to Leslie Douglas, a stockbroker with
Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas. They have one son and two
daughters, all of whom serve as trustees of the foundation, and
six grandchildren. As we go to press, we are hoping Mrs. Douglas
will be able to travel to Ames to accept her award in person at
the January meeting. If not, her cousin, Ann Fleming of
Carlisle, will be on hand to accept the award on her behalf.
5^ Friday Night Is Family Night
Come on over and bring the kids! Friday, January 8, from 7:30
9:30 P.M. is family night in the South Prairie Room at Gateway
Holiday Inn, Ames. The conference registration desk will open at
7:30 so you can take care of a little business and avoid the
Saturday morning rush. Then relax and enjoy the evening.
Design an ice cream sundae and tap your toes to the sounds of the
Pretty Good Band, starting at 7:30. Cash bar available too, with
a special getaway spot for ladies in the Gallery. At 8:00 our
special guest chef, Odessa Piper, will treat you to tale or two.
After that, the band plays on with family dancing until 9:30.
All are welcome. You do not have to be staying at the Holiday Inn
to join in on the Friday night festivities.
For hotel reservations at the Gateway Holiday Inn call (515)
2928600 or 1800Holiday. Discounted rooms at the PFI group
rate available until December 23.
6^ Board Elections at Annual Meeting
As part of the annual meeting there will be a gathering of the
membershipatlarge after lunch on Saturday. District meetings
follow, giving you a chance to meet your PFI neighbors and plan
district events. Elections will be held for board members to
serve in all five districts.
The search is underway for members to nominate. Contact President
Dave Lubben (3194652053) if you are interested in serving.
Nominations will also be accepted from the floor.
7^ It's Your Conference Now Is the Time to Lend a Hand
We have a large box of gold stars ready to distribute to anyone
interested in volunteering some time on Friday night or during
the day Saturday.
Many hands make light work, and here are some of the many ways
you can help.
1. Registration: We need people to handle walkin registrations
starting Friday evening and early on Saturday morning. The job
involves being a greeter, collecting money, and doing a little
paper work. Participants who have preregistered still check in
at the information desk to pick up their conference program and
get a name tag. So, it's a very busy place. Child care
registration will be handled at a table nearby.
2. Child care: All families will register their children and sign
waivers, so we will need people to assist with this registration
on Friday evening and Saturday morning. In addition, you may
volunteer to spend some time in the toddler room. If you have an
older child who is at loose ends about how to get involved with
the conference, helping with toddler care could be an excellent
choice.
3. Workshop help: For each workshop session we need one
designated person, besides the moderator, to keep things running
smoothly. If you volunteer for this job, you need to take notes
and write a brief summary of the workshop content that Nan can
edit for the winter newsletter. This person would also be the
"gopher" if there's a problem during the session. If you look
over the list of workshops and see something you definitely want
to attend, volunteering to be the helper guarantees your place.
Thank you for getting involved. Planning the conference is a
huge undertaking for the PFI board and staff. But the actual
event belongs to you. Your help is welcome. You can use the
form on the facing page to enlist or call Nan, PFI program
assistant, at 5152948512 to offer your services. Thanks.
7^ Winter Meeting Child Care Options on Saturday
1. For the wee ones ages five and under
A room will be set aside at the Gateway Holiday Inn to provide
care for the wee ones. A paid competent adult care giver will be
in charge for the day with a younger support crew. This sitter
service is designed so that you, the parents, can participate
fully in the conference activities. Of course, in this situation
where many very small children are connecting with care givers
and playmates unknown to them, there is bound to be anxiety.
Parents should be prepared for interruptions in their day
according to their child's needs. Likewise, parents are invited
and encouraged to spend time in the child care room. (Teenagers
who want to volunteer some time babysitting should contact Nan,
PFI program assistant, at 5152948512.) The cost of the child
care service is $12.00 per child. The fees go toward paying the
staff and covering costs of snacks and art/play materials.
2. For school children ages six and above
Annette Brown, 4H Youth Development Specialist, ISU Extension,
will provide a special program for children age 6 through 11 from
8:30 A.M. 9:30 A.M. at the Gateway Holiday Inn. Following that,
a bus (or van, depending on number) will transport children to a
full day of programs at Camp Hantesa, 1450 Oriole Road, Boone,
Iowa. Camp Hantesa staff will supervise the children in guided
activities including nature programs, crafts, and games. Hantesa
likes to emphasize outdoor activities, depending on weather, so
children need to dress appropriately. (It might even be smart to
send along a change of duds.) Hantesa will serve two snacks and
a hot lunch, and return the children to Gateway Holiday Inn by
5:00 P.M. The cost of this service is $15.00 per child,
including the lunch and snacks. Children must be at least six
years old to participate in the Hantesa option; there is no upper
age limit. This is the only child care program offered by PFI for
school age children this year; there is no supervision available
at the hotel.
3. Is your child old enough to be a full conference participant?
That's a family decision. Young family members who are involved
in farm operations/enterprises and engaged in workshop topics are
welcome to attend as conference participants. They must pay the
registration fee. Beth Flemming, ISU Extension Family Life
Specialist, will provide a special program for kids age 12 and
older at 8:30 at Gateway Holiday Inn. It's called Living in a
Pressure Cooker: What's a Kid to Do? Beth asks "What kinds of
stresses do youth have today? What can be done to deal with
them? Come learn, participate, and have fun as we explore
together ways to live well in a stressfilled world." Beth's
program ends at 9:30. Thereafter families need to be clear that
there is no separate or additional program designed for older
children at the hotel. However, there is no upper age limit for
participating in the Hantesa program which begins at 9:30 (see #2
above).
What about swimming?
The pool at the Gateway Holiday Inn is open from 6:00 A.M. to
10:00 P.M. with NO lifeguard. Unfortunately ONLY REGISTERED
OVERNIGHT GUESTS of the Holiday Inn may use the pool. Therefore,
swimming will not be part of the program organized by PFI.
8^ THE EDITOR MUSES
In what now seems like another life entirely, I worked as a
professional copywriter for a huge mail order catalog. (You
probably have at least two of their tomes accumulated at your
house already this season.) I worked in a cubicle surrounded by
other writers and artists. Our bosses created an elaborate
system of production schedules and impossible deadlines which we
liked to rename. There was the wet ink deadline and the dry ink
deadline; the just kidding deadline and the no kidding deadline;
the last chance; the drop dead; the youmustbejoking deadline.
I suspended a sign over my desk reading "Deadlines amuse me."
Having outlived all of those deadlines and more, this fall
newsletter goes to press just in time for the winter solstice. I
trust that you will have many blessings to celebrate in your life
between now and when we meet in the new year. No doubt a few
mishaps too. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better
at the annual meeting. Meanwhile, Happy Holidays to you and your
family, whatever you might be celebrating.
Cheers!
Nan Bonfils
P.S. Next newsletter deadline is February 22, 1999.
8^ NOTES AND NOTICES
Attorney General Cautions on Fertilizer Overapplication
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller's office has issued a farm
advisory bulletin titled "Do You Really Need to Apply P and K
Fertilizer for Next Year?" The article notes that over
twothirds of soil samples submitted to ISU now test "high" or
"very high" in phosphorus; statistics are similar for potassium.
At these levels, no yield response to additional fertilizer can
be expected.
PFI research conducted with Iowa State University showed that the
overapplication problem is widespread. Through a survey and a
complex telephone interview, a crosssection of Iowa farmers was
divided into "sustainable" and "conventional" producers based on
their farming practices and values. ISU agronomist Antonio
Mallarino visited 127 cornfields around the state, taking soil
samples and measuring yields. While cornfields in 85 percent of
"conventional" fields showed phosphorus levels of high or very
high, 74 percent of the "sustainable" cornfields were also in
these categories. The breakdown was exactly the same for
potassium.
The Attorney General's message warns farmers to make sure they
see the actual results of their soil tests, not just the
fertilizer recommendations that may come from the lab or a
consultant. ISU's recommendations are widely available and a
good basis for comparison. In a period when grain prices drop
below the cost of production, unnecessary expenditures on
fertilizer are the last thing farmers need.
Fourth Annual Food System Conference
Saturday, January 30 (snowdate: Sat. Feb 6) from 8 A.M. to 4:30
P.M. in Grinnell at the Grinnell United Church of Christ. This
conference will provide an opportunity for people who are
involved with the development of local food sources to come
together to network. There will be news from the 1998 season.
Denise O'Brien will present the keynote. Afternoon features two
workshop sessions, each session providing three tracts to cover
production, marketing, and community/organization aspects.
Sponsored in part by the Leopold Center for Sustainable
Agriculture. For more information contact Jan Libbey, conference
coordinator at 515 4956367 or email libland@kalnet.com
Upcoming North of the Border
Land Stewardship Project Conference
January 21 in the Rochester, MN. area will feature Joel Salatin .
His speech, "You Can Farm", focuses on going beyond direct
marketing to relationship marketing. For registration information
call 5075233366 or email lspse@rconnect.com
Tools and Rules for Adding Value on the Farm: Value Added and
Marketing Conference
February 9th and 10th 1999, Holiday Inn, Eau Claire, WI. Contact:
Larry Swain, Rural Development Institute, UWRiver Falls phone
7154253083 email swain@wisplan.uwex.edu
Through the Farm Gate to the Dinner Plate: The Minnesota Organic
Conference
February 16th and 17th, Kelly Inn, St. Cloud. Contact: Jan
Gunnink, 5072375162
The 2nd Annual Minnesota Grazing Conference
February 19th and 20th, Victoria Inn, Hutchenson Contact: Jan
Gunnink, 5072375162
Take Your Farm to School Workshops
The Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, located in East Troy,
Wisconsin, is hosting winter workshops under the banner "Take
Your Farm to School." This year several workshops will be
located in Southwest Wisconsin (Viroqua). Call 4146423303 to
register.
January 22, 23, 24. Soil building with organic matter; planning
for sustainable farming.
January 24. Farm planning: Part I
February 1214. Farm planning: Part II
Fourth Annual Winter Retreat
for PFI Women
Plans are evolving for the PFI Women's Winter Gathering to begin
midday on February 13, 1999. The site is the Scenic Valley
Conference Center in rural Boone County. Treat yourself to a
getaway designed with PFI women in mind. We'll get going on
Saturday afternoon and wrap up around noon on Sunday. That way
we can all be back home in time to get in on St. Valentine's Day
goodies. Nan Bonfils will handle registration through the PFI
office (5152948512) or via email (nanb@iastate.edu) or by fax
(5152949985). She is also accepting ideas about the program's
content. Some women have already called in to be sure their name
is securely on the list of interested participants. Not a bad
idea. With so much positive energy flowing for PFI women these
days, we could get a recordbreaking turnout, and we do have a
finite number of beds. Stand by for details, but mark your
calendar now. And give Nan a call if you're really keen.
5152948512
Swine Systems Conference February 17
Get ready for the sequel to the February, 1997 conference on
hoophouse hogs. The first such meeting was very highly rated by
participants. One producer said it gave him the courage to even
stay in hogs. Like the last conference, this effort is led by
Rich Pirog of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.
Since last summer, swine producers, farm organization
representatives, and ISU scientists have been meeting to set the
program. Workshop titles will include: Getting started with hoop
structures; Composting hoop structure bedding/manure; Marketing
opportunities with alternative swine systems; Decisionmaking
identifying critical points and picking the system that's right
for you; Research/demonstration updates; Using hoop structures
for gestation or breeding barns; Outdoor production systems;
Regulatory and other challenges to pork production; Remodeling
existing structures; and Using hoop structures for early weaning
or farrowing. Both producers and scientists will present and
lead discussions. The conference, which takes place in the
Scheman Continuing Education Building at the ISU Center, will
cost $15 ($10 without lunch), and preregistration is strongly
encouraged. Call 5152945961 for registration information; call
the Leopold Center at 5152943711 for information about the
program.
The 10th Annual Upper Midwest Organic Conference
March 5 and 6, Sinsinawa Mound, WI. Organic Works at Home and
Around the World. Contact: Faye Jones, Conference Coordinator
phone, 7157726819, email: fjeoc@win.bright.net or On the Web:
http://agile.net/UMOFC/>http://agile.net/UMOFC/
Holistic Management Training in March
PFI is sponsoring two different training opportunities in March,
1999, one a oneday session and the other a threeday workshop.
Both will be open to producers and to staff of Extension and
other agencies. There will be a charge for the training, but
support will also come from a grant from the SARE Professional
Development Program. The locations of these events are yet to be
determined.
On Friday, March 12, William Casey will lead a oneday training
that will both introduce Holistic Management (HM) and draw the
parallels and distinctions to the ISU Extension Strategic
Management program, wholefarm planning, and other holistically
oriented planning tools. Casey, a certified HM educator, was one
of the trainers at the session PFI organized last year. He also
teaches farm management at Southeastern Community College, and he
raises and markets beef cattle.
MondayWednesday, March 2931, certified HM trainer Ed Martsolf,
from Morrilton, Arkansas, will lead a threeday holistic
management training session. Ed also has worked with a number of
PFI members at workshops in the past. He would like for the
second day of the training to take place on the farm of someone
who has had some exposure to HM and is trying to use the tools in
their own operation. Suggestions, anyone? Please contact PFI
coordinator Rick Exner if you might like to volunteer your farm
or have other questions (5152945486).
Searching for a Farm
My name is Joe Rude. I was born in Marshalltown and grew up
working on the family farm. After getting married and having two
sons, my wife Wende and I want to get back to Iowa and raise our
family on a farm. We'd appreciate any leads on available farms,
whether yours or a neighbors. We plan to practice sustainable
agriculture and see it advantageous to be in the neighborhood of
another "practical farmer." We have down payment and can go
through the bank to buy immediately, or be flexible with a
multiyear transition for someone wanting to slow down and stay
on the farm. To be near both sets of aging grandparents and
other relatives, we are limiting our search to Story, Boone,
Marshall, Dallas and Guthrie counties or thereabouts. Please
contact us at 5152242989.
Seeking Operator
Seeking operator for organic farm operation with some livestock.
Send resume to P.O. Box 313, Hampton, IA. 50441
Opportunity for Beginning Organic Farmer
In recent years cropland has been rented to a neighbor. However,
lease has been cancelled at end of crop year 1998. So I have the
farm for rent on March 1, 1999. 120 acres, two miles SW of Traer,
Perry Twp., in North Tama County. Tillable acres: 114.3 (FSA
figures). Good tillable land, gently rolling, Tama and Dinsdale
silt loam soil types. Some old buildings, house not in condition
to rent. Room for livestock and pasture. Land was in ridge till
system from 1968 through 1994 and farmed conventionally the last
4 years. Land well protected from soil erosion for last 30
years. Utilities: Electric power, on county water line, telephone
line to building site. Farm is not for sale. The farm will be in
transition to organic farming system beginning March 1, 1999.
This is an opportunity for an organic farmer or a beginning
farmer. I wish to keep the farm as a small farm and not make it
an addon to a larger farm. Contact owners: Harold and Patricia
Wright, 1718 Clark Ave., Ames, IA. 500105345, phone
5152323361.
Niman Hams Available
PFI member Paul Willis of Thorton, a main person behind the
effort to market sustainablyproduced pork to California, called
to say hams and bacon from the hogs are accumulating at Webster
City, which is where they are processed. These are very high
quality products. The Niman Ranch Applewood Smoked Boneless Pit
Hams come as half (about six pound) or whole (about 12 pound)
hams. The Niman Ranch Applewood Smoked Center Cut Bacon comes
in ten pound cases with 1214 retail packs per case.
If you are interested in purchasing any of these products (they'd
make great Christmas gifts), give Paul a call at 5159982683.
Talk to Paul about picking up your hams at one of four locations.
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