the Practical Farmer A quarterly publication of Practical Farmers of Iowa Vol. 26, No. 4 | Fall 2011

PFI member Ron Rosmann talks to field day participants about his test plots of orgainc corn and soybeans

In this issue Ingredients for good buyer-seller relationships PFI farmers turn “undercover” agents Is marketing the “weak link” in your operation? Looking to the future: PFI adopts new strategic plan Special full-color photo spread: “Why I farm” PFI Board of Directors We love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact your board members or PFI staff . Contents District 1 (Northwest) At-Large David Haden Joyce Lock Letter from the Director ...... 3 4458 Starling Ave . 725 54th St . Primghar, IA 51245 Des Moines, IA 50312 712 .448 .2012 515 277. .3615 Horticulture ...... 4–5 highland33@tcaexpress .net stirjoy@aol .com Dan Wilson, PFI Vice-President Gail Hickenbottom, Treasurer Resarch: Local Foods Study...... 6–7 4375 Pierce Ave . 810 Browns Woods Dr . Paullina, IA 51046 West Des Moines, IA 50265 712 .448 .3870 515 256. .7876 Beef Tasting Event ...... 8–9 the7wilsons@gmail .com Advisory Board Annual Conference ...... 10–13 District 2 (North Central) Larry Kallem th Sara Hanson 12303 NW 158 Ave . 2011 Field Days...... 14–17 2505 220th Ave . Madrid, IA 50156 Wesley, IA 50483 515 795. .2303 515 .928 7690. Dick Thompson SPECIAL! Full-Color Pullout Fencing Guide dancingcarrot@yahoo .com 2035 190th St . Tim Landgraf, PFI President Boone, IA 50036 1465 120th St . 515 432. .1560 Field Crops ...... 18–19 Kanawha, IA 50447 641 .495 .6367 PFI Staff Next Generation...... 20 libland@peconet .net For general information and staff connections, call 515.232.5661. Individual extensions are listed in Research: Bioenergy and Diversity...... 21 District 3 (Northeast) parentheses after each name. Tyler Franzenburg 6915 15th Ave . Teresa Opheim (302) Member Contributions...... 22–23. Keystone, IA 52249 Executive Director 319 .721 2176. teresa@practicalfarmers .org PFI News...... 24 tfranzenburg@hotmail .com Suzi Bernhard (301) Jeff Klinge Finance & Benefits Manager 16609 Highway 13 suzi@practicalfarmers .org Planned Giving ...... 25 Farmersburg, IA 52047 563 .536 2314. Patrick Burke (303) jefkling@neitel .net Office Manager New Members...... 26 patrick@practicalfarmers .org Sarah Carlson (305) District 4 (Southwest) Calendar...... 26 Research & Policy Director Earl Hafner sarah@practicalfarmers .org 303 Oak Ridge Dr . Panora, IA 50216 Kevin Dietzel (307) Join PFI...... 27 641 .757 0560. Grazing Coordinator hafnerin@netins .net kevin@practicalfarmers .org Sean Skeehan Luke Gran (308) 746 Wyoming Next Generation Coordinator the Chariton, IA 50049 luke@practicalfarmers .org 641 .203 .0758 skeebout@bluegatefarmfresh .com Tomoko Ogawa (306) Practical Farmer Market Development, Local Foods, PFI Cook the Practical Farmer keeps farmers and friends of farmers in touch District 5 (Southeast) tomoko@practicalfarmers .org with one another and provides informative articles about the latest Ann Cromwell, PFI Secretary Ann Seuferer (309) on-farm research, demonstration and observation to help all types 3303 240th St . Communications Director of farming operations to become profitable, while caring for the land Williamsburg, IA 52361 ann@practicalfarmers .org that sustains them . Provided as a member benefit to PFI supporters, 319 .668 .8248 the Practical Farmer also serves to update members on PFI programming . anniowa@commspeed .net Sally Worley (304) the Practical Farmer is published quarterly by Practical Farmers of Iowa, Linda Grice Next Generation & 137 Lynn Ave ., Suite 200, Ames, IA 50014; 515 .232 5661. . 25739 170th St . Horticulture Director South English, IA 52335 sally@practicalfarmers .org Newsletter Editor: Ann Seuferer 319 .667 2350. (Back issues are available upon request .) agricol@netins .net

2 the Practical Farmer From the Director

True wealth I read a book last weekend, True Schor says, “A diversified income stream makes Wealth, by Juliet Schor that didn’t sense when the labor market is going through ups mention our organization by name, and downs, or long-term decline.” but the author could have. There are no You are master networkers, thriving on the more shining examples of the solutions field days, workshops and online conversation she presents than the members of opportunities that PFI staff provide. “The Practical Farmers of Iowa. networked environment makes possible a new modality of organization production that is “For most Americans, the future holds more radically decentralized, collaborative, and economic uncertainty and lower real returns nonproprietary; based on sharing resources for their labors,” Schor writes. “Standard and outputs, locally connected individuals who macroeconomics is failing. Its whole approach is cooperate with each other without relying on vacuous because it’s indiscriminate.” Our current either market signals or managerial comments,” economic system asks: How fast can we grow? says Schor. How big can we get? How much can we buy? “We remain trapped in this myopic debate when what You thrive on the open sharing of information. we need is a conversation not about how much Ours is not the world of copyrights, patents and but about what.” trademarks — nor secrets about what worked and what didn’t on your farms. A good example of Schor describes a better economic model, one how the next generation is adopting your level where people rely less on “business as usual” of openness: Sara Hanson and Ryan and Janice spending. People spread their risk with multiple Marquardt are willing to share their complete Teresa and son Paul cart home tomatoes for sources of income and support. They rely much business plans at our upcoming annual canning from Farm to Folk in Ames. more strongly on their communities than Americans have in recent decades. conference so that we all can learn from the Excellent Joy panel of financial advisors there to advise them. Sound familiar? So many of you are diversified in your farming operations, providing you with more “Usually farm culture washes out Schor makes the point that “True Wealth” after three successive generations resilience when a crop fails or a market drops. is more “knowledge-intensive.” He says, have been removed from working “Knowledge is the scarce resource in the the land. I notice, though, that farm transition to sustainability,” but it is in culture can be rekindled in a single abundance with PFI farmers! Dick and Sharon generation. City folks who marry farm Thompson, a shining example, have a thick book people or who move to rural areas to and more of it that they have shared. (See our begin their own farming operations website if you haven’t taken a look at Thompson acquire the yen to work the soil in just Agriculture Alternatives.) a few years and pass along to their children their hardy work ethic and the spiritual commitment to make the I agree with Schor: I am optimistic “that there is land produce. This rapid reversion to a way forward that is better for humans and the farm culture probably taps into strands earth.” True Wealth involves “re-skilling, food of genetic memory that lie dormant sufficiency, renewable energy, and the forging of until agricultural activities stimulate social bonds at the community level.” Including Lion is a 15-year-old, “shelter-dog hybrid,” say Jan the emergence the PFI community! Libbey and Tim Landgraf, the pup’s owners. Lion of a wealth of got his name because as a puppy he liked to “lie” survival skills that Working for you, around in the sun so their then young children, are included in Andrew and Jess, thought he should be called Lion. their DNA.” In his youth, Lion was an avid hunter, protecting the From PFI member garden’s harvest from rabbits. “These days he does Michael R. Rosmann’s P.S. Every time you renew your membership or more watching than chasing,” says Tim. Wherever book, Excellent Joy provide PFI additional support, I am grateful Jan and Tim go on the farm, Lion is never far behind. (available at www. icecubepress.com) for the gift and vote of confidence you have A gregarious fellow, Lion loves house guests and his given to this organization! favorite treat is human affection. www.practicalfarmers.org 3 Horticulture

The making of a seed saver and his seed-saving advice by Sally Worley

Glenn Drowns has been an avid gardener What follows are the Drowns’ best tips for since early childhood. As a high school how to save seeds from a few crops that are senior in the late 70’s, Glenn’s love of feasible to save on a commercial scale. watermelon motivated him to create a variety that could withstand the frequent General Seed-Saving Tips frosts and the short growing season of the If you plan to save seed, pick randomly from mountain area. Named for the mountain plants of a particular variety rather than at the foot of which it grew, the Blacktail selectively picking fruit from plants that Mountain Melon was a success and have superior characteristics. “Ideally you started Glenn on the road to seed saving. want to save seed from at least 12 to 25 plants,” recommends Glenn, “to get good Glenn moved from Idaho to Iowa in 1984 and representation of that set of traits.” Tomatoes purchased the 40-acre farm that comprises When it comes to saving high-quality tomato Sand Hill Preservation Center in 1988. Glenn’s Purchase a set of multi-sized strainers. Make seeds, Glenn says, “Fermenting removes the three main goals in operating Sand Hill are sure the strainers are devoid of rims that bacteria-laden jelly coat.” If the jelly remains, to preserve rare and endangered poultry, can catch seeds, or you may inadvertently the sugar layer will gum up once the seeds livestock, and vegetable and fruit crops; use mix seeds of different varieties. are sown. Bacteria grow in that layer as soon educational outreach to showcase sustainable as you wet the soil. This causes damping off organic methods; and provide a small Remember, good seed sinks, and immature and the introduction of pathogens. “Seeds sanctuary for native plants and animals. or “bad” seed floats. Immature seed may cleaned through fermentation will have a germinate if germination rate of 90-100 percent.” The Although Sand Hill is a small business, it has a planted the fermentation process will also allow you to large outreach. Glenn and his wife Linda are next season, use blemished tomatoes for saving seeds. the principal employees, sending a seed-and- but the poultry catalog each January to a customer base germination To save a large quantity of tomatoes, harvest of 18,000 and selling limited quantities of seed, percentage tomatoes into a five-gallon bucket. Glenn saves sweet potato slips and poultry breeds to each is going to smaller quantities of tomato seeds in recycled customer. “If someone purchases slips from me be lower milk containers (see photo above). Squeeze and then turns around and sells 5000 slips of with a the seeds into the bucket and throw the pulp that variety, more power to them,” says Glenn. shorter onto the ground. For more efficiency, throw “I’d rather see it out there being grown than shelf life. the entire tomato into the tub, and chop with extinct. We have a huge collection but small a straight-handled hoe or carpenter’s mixer. quantities because I don’t have the manpower The quicker the seed dries, the better the or interest level to do it on a large scale.” germination and quality. Don’t use the Ferment the tomatoes at room-temperature. microwave or put in the oven. “I use old Fermentation time is temperature-dependent: handmade incubators (see photo above) that four to five days in warm weather, up I set at 98 degrees with a fan,” Glenn says. to a week in cooler weather. “When it’s fermented, the tomato solution will be Store seeds out of direct sunlight in foamy and stinky,” says Glenn. “When rinsing sealed jars to keep humidity low. “I like off the seed, if it rinses clean, it’s suitably to use baby food jars because of the seal fermented. If it doesn’t separate easily from inside. Seeds are often good for five to the pulp, it needs to ferment more.“ 10 years stored at room temperature. Once fermented, add water, stir, let set for “It is hard to find time to save seeds if you a few minutes, pour off foam and floating are also growing produce for sale,” says seeds. Then rinse the seeds in a strainer and Sand Hill’s collection includes more Glenn. “But, it can save money and maintain dry the seeds on absorbent paper such as than 700 tomato varieties, 75 pepper a variety that is hard-to-find commercially, paper plates or pop flats. Avoid wax-coated varieties, 200 corn varieties, 200 squash particularly if you are certified-organic.” paper and cardboard that won’t wick the varieties, 185 sweet potato varieties, and water away. “In two to three days the seeds just fewer than 235 poultry breeds. should be sufficiently dry for storage. It typically takes a week to 10 days from picking 4 the Practical Farmer tomatoes to storing seeds,” says Glenn. Horticulture

If you are saving one variety of seeds from Glenn lets green peppers sit for three weeks in multiple harvests, you can ferment and process his shed before he saves seed. “Once harvested, each harvest and combine the dried seeds. the pepper concentrates on getting nutrients to the seed. You should still have a good eating Glenn estimates that a bushel of tomatoes will pepper to freeze.” If you have hot peppers, yield approximately one ounce or around 8,000 don’t seed them individually. Put hot peppers in seeds. Glenn isolates his tomato varieties by a bucket for two weeks, take a straight handled a minimum of 15 feet before saving seeds. hoe with water, chop up the peppers, strain and rinse the seed. Do this outside for ventilation. Sweet Potatoes While technically not a seed, Glenn highly For other peppers, remove the cores, put them recommends farmers start their own sweet sized spuds. Do NOT cut them. Fill the frame in a dish pan of water and extract the seeds. potato slips as well as expand the types of with sphagnum peat moss and saturate with Marginal seed will float to the top. Skim that sweet potatoes they grow. According to Glenn water. Make hoops with #9 wire, place over seed off, and put the rest of the seed through sweet potatoes do well in Iowa soil. He says the frame two to three feet apart and cover a strainer. Let the seed dry, then store. that the biggest with clear plastic. “You want to keep them mistake people very warm until they sprout,” says Glenn. Cucumbers make is over- “I run a soaker hose down the middle so I It is easiest to save cucumber seed if you are fertilization. can connect it from the outside and keep producing one variety. If not, you need to “When the soil the bed wet until I see sprouts.” If it gets isolate a variety by ¼-mile or more to prevent is too rich, hot, open the ends during the day. When it cross-pollination. Cucumbers should ripen past sweet potatoes reaches 95 degrees, pull off the plastic. Keep eating stage to will produce the tubers watered and covered as long as get mature seeds; few tubers and possible. If they get too cool, they will rot. slicing cucumbers an abundance will ripen to a of vines.” In about two weeks, you’ll see your first sprouts. cream color, and “If the weather is warm, you’ll be pulling picklers will ripen Glenn feels that many more sweet potato them constantly, and should have all you need to yellow-orange. varieties can grow well in Iowa than are sometime around the end of May.” Pull off It is okay if the typically grown here, voicing concern that the slips of potato and plant them about one ripened cucumbers sweet potato genetics are directed by foot apart. Glenn plants his sweet potatoes are soft. market availability, with one large company into black plastic. “If you want success, propagating the majority of slips sold. “They black plastic cinches it. I put the plastic out Harvest ripe cucumbers into a tub, chop and produce the varieties that are easiest for about a week before I plant them.” Do not ferment. Fermentation time will be similar to them to get slips from and ones that make transplant the slips into other containers. tomatoes. If a variety has few seeds, cut them the biggest sweet potatoes,” Glenn explains. “Stick them directly into the ground, keep cucumber in half lengthwise and scrape out “Biggest isn’t always best; big sweet potatoes them as wet for a week and you’re set. the seeds rather than put the entire fruit into have a shorter shelf life and are fibrous. the tub. When they are sufficiently fermented, “The biggest trick with saving sweet potatoes the viable seed will go to the bottom. Skim “Sweet potato slips are expensive, and is overwintering them, and the biggest off the floating seeds, rinse the pulp from much of what you get in the mail is mistake people make is to keep them cool. the seeds through a strainer, and dry. marginal,” he continues. “Each time a You want to keep them 60-65 degrees and sweet potato slip is moved or altered, dry. Keep them dirty, don’t wash them, Beans and cowpeas it can reduce yield by 25 percent.” don’t handle them a lot; each time you From a 50-foot row of pole beans, Glenn turn them you’re going to bruise them.” typically gets 5-10 pounds of seed. He To start slips, take an eight-foot 2x4 and cut tries to keep 50 feet between varieties to it into three. Build a frame with two of these Peppers prevent crossing. Harvest beans once they pieces and two eight-foot 2x4s. In the third Glenn doesn’t harvest peppers until the day have dried or when they are almost dry. Let or fourth week of April, set the frame on the before a killing frost is predicted. If it’s a variety them dry completely at room temperature surface of freshly tilled ground. “My rule of that ripens to red, he picks the peppers red. and separate the beans from the pods. thumb is to start when corn is being planted. “Don’t pick any slimy or rotten ones, or the ones There might be a little frost but no hard worms have eaten and mix them with the ones For more on seed saving, visit: www. freezes,” say Glenn. Lay overwintered sweet that are solid.” When picking peppers, harvest sandhillpreservation.com potatoes in the frame so they’re not quite into two buckets. Peppers that are starting to touching. Glenn suggests using bratwurst- shrivel or are red-ripe, seed out right away. www.practicalfarmers.org 5 Research PFI Local Food Study uncovers disparity between perceptions and purchasing practices by Tomoko Ogawa and Rich Schuler

Many PFI members have expressed interest reported the data as a 90-day average. Each in increasing purchases from local farmers. daily food purchase point on such a graph is the In response, PFI launched a Local Foods Tips for increasing average of that day and the preceding 89 days. Project in May 2010. To increase local food local food purchases Not only does this approach “smooth out” the purchases, or to intentionally spend a certain peaks and valleys of the various shopping days, it From what the participants learned percentage of our food dollars on locally also illustrates how purchases vary by the season through this project, here are some tips raised food, we must first grasp how our (see Figure 1, below, for one participant). for increasing your local food purchases: food dollars are currently being spent on Perception differs from reality foods grown locally and in distant places. • Start by reading labels and learning how far the food travels at the The rigorous approach yielded a rich harvest of Numerous studies document the economic grocery store or food coop. unique results, which (thanks to the participants) benefits to the community in buying local, and are supported by nearly 3,000 days of recorded Ask questions at grocery stores, many of us have pledged to purchase more • food purchases. The most dramatic finding from farmers market and other food venues locally grown food. But just how much local this project was that the perception of buying about where food is from. This builds food are individuals really buying? Uncovering habits does not match reality. For example, one awareness and shows that your desire the answer requires a real commitment of the questions in the pre-survey study focused to supporting local producers. by participants. Fortunately, PFI had six on local food purchasing goals for the study. The dedicated families that painstakingly recorded • Shop at farmers’ markets. minimum percentage goal for all participants was their total food purchases for 15 months. 50%, and the majority was more than 75%. In stark • Join a CSA (vegetable contrast to the perception, the 90-day average subscription service). What is local? percentage of local food purchases for all the Before beginning the study, the first task was • Join an online year-round local food participants at the end of the study was 32.8%. to answer the question, “What is local?” This outlet such as Farm to Folk, Iowa The peak 90-day local purchase average for all turned out to be more difficult than expected. Food Coop or River Valley Co-op. participants on single day was 75.8%, and a value For example, should the definition of local food of 75% local was exceeded on only four days. be based simply on the distance it travels? Does • Buy seasonal food in bulk and preserve it need to be purchased directly from the farmer? it for use in the off-season. As one of the participants, this project helped Should bread made by a local bakery with grain • Purchase dairy and meat products PFI staffer Tomoko Ogawa examine her food from out of state be considered local? In the from local farmers or lockers. purchases. She had always thought that she end, we settled on food produced in Iowa. (See was good at eating locally, but through this detailed guidelines in the “Methodology” section.) project, she realized how much she depends Figure 1 on the industrial food system. Next, we recruited 22 households, and Figure 1. Local Food Purchases - 90 Day Average Similarly, some of our participants two businesses, but by the end of 15 found it surprising to see how 70 months, only six households completed little they actually spend on local Actual Purchases the study. Participants are Harold foods. After two months of record 60 and Marilyn Andersen, Joel and Amy Expected purchases keeping, Merissa Landrigan says, based on the seasons Logan, Dean Lewis and Anita Maher “I was shocked to learn that for 50 Lewis, Tomoko Ogawa, Teresa Opheim someone who does almost all her and Rich Schuler, and Susan Posch. shopping at Wheatsfield Co-op and 40 through Farm to Folk, I was still What did we expect to see in terms of spending only about 12% locally.” the local foods purchased throughout 30 After the study, participant Sue the year? First, if a household was Posch decided to join a second actively purchasing locally, we expected 20 Community Supported Agriculture the local food expenses to vary with (CSA or vegetable subscription Percent of Local Food Purchases (%) the seasons. We also expected a wide 10 service). Reviewing her food range of daily purchases from $0 on a purchases made her realize that “non-shopping day” to more than $100 0 the stores she has been shopping on a “big shopping day.” To create a in Ames do not carry many

29-Jul-10 7-Apr-11 2-Jun-11 28-Jul-11 plot that was easy to read, PFI staff 26-Aug-1023-Sep-1021-Oct-1018-Nov-1016-Dec-1013-Jan-1110-Feb-1110-Mar-11 5-May-11 30-Jun-11 local products. She says, “The 6 the Practical Farmer Research

Purchases dependent upon food After 15 outlet offerings months, our Shopping venues influenced the percentage study has of local food purchases. The participant who concluded shopped primarily at farmers’ markets had that when a sharper decrease of local food purchases households during the offseason compared to those who keep accurate shopped at year-around local food outlets such records, they as Farm to Folk, Ames. The participant with discover that the highest 90-day average on a single day they simply Participant Sue Posch (left) and friend (75.8%) bought meat in bulk directly from a aren’t buying Rich Schuler Beth Larabee producer. This type of purchase is possible in as much local project is making me even more appreciative of any season, and results in a large local food food as they think. It’s clear that all participants the CSAs and farmers’ markets in the area.” percentage whenever those purchases are made. in the study lean heavily on the industrial infrastructure model of food production and Dietary restrictions, home distribution. Shifting the bulk of food to a local gardens affect purchases economy requires a significant commitment Dietary restrictions affect participants’ local from the community to purchase food grown food purchases. One participant is on a gluten- locally. The challenge to making this shift lies free diet. The choice to consume organic, not only with the individual community members gluten-free food limits this person’s capacity but in creating a “local food infrastructure” to purchase local food. Also about halfway capable of both growing and delivering the through the project, Tomoko realized that variety and quantity of food required to support her lactose intolerance was more serious than an entire community. This cannot happen she had thought, and she dramatically cut her without the demand created by a critical dairy intake. At that point, dairy represented Joel and Amy Logan mass of residents within any community. the majority of her local foods purchases. Eliminating dairy from her diet resulted in a reduction in her local food consumption. purchases should be recorded to increase Methodology the accuracy of the data collected. The Local PFI solicited participants from PFI Member Food Study 1. “Local” = within Iowa Survey respondents who indicated interest illustrated that 2. Include only food and drink in increasing their food purchases from food purchasing 3. Baked goods are “local” if baked locally PFI farmers. We also sought Farm to patterns are 4. Do not include home gardening Folk (F2F) members to participate. also influenced equivalents — this survey is measuring by home PFI provided the participants with an purchases from Iowa farmers gardens. Excel spreadsheet to document their food 5. Do not include sit-down One of the purchases. The spreadsheet contains three restaurant expenditures participants has sheets. In the first sheet, participants 6. Do not include tax and bottle deposits a large garden enter their food purchase dollar amounts. Participants who have CSA subscriptions Marilyn Andersen The formulas in the spreadsheet automatically provide the percentage were asked to provide the start/end dates from which she derives most of her family’s of local versus distance food purchases. of their shares as well as the cost. We food throughout the growing season. Another The formulas also give cumulative food then divided the cost by the number of participant had a medium-sized garden that spending as well as average daily food days for the period when they received supplements the household vegetables. As expenditure. Sheets (2) and (3) provide produce. Participants entered these expected, the local food purchases for these 30-day and 90-day moving averages of daily CSA costs during the period of their participants decreased during the growing food purchases per person respectively. shares. This was done to avoid a spike in season and increased during the offseason. local food purchases at the point when We have set the following rules so that a participant pays the CSA cost for the all the participants have the same entire season. Instead, daily cost of the understanding of what is local and how CSA share is shown throughout the season.

www.practicalfarmers.org 7 Beef Tasting Event

Best flavor is in the taste buds of the tester by Tomoko Ogawa The flavor of beef is created by complex We designed a score card to help participants variables. While the discussions identify the beef they liked best. For this such as grass-fed versus grain-fed or purpose, the questions on the score card were confinement-raised versus pasture- short and straightforward, asking tasters to raised are gaining media attention, list their top three favorites as well as to rate there are no clear-cut answers to texture (mushy, very tender, tender, good bite, define the taste of beef. chewy, very chewy, tough) and flavor (gamey, weak, well-marbled, rich, too fatty, well- Feeding systems, breed, handling methods, balanced). aging lengths and methods, processing and packaging all have roles in influencing the Fa r m Prairie Cattle Company Carney Family Farm The Cory’s at Thankful Harvest Griffieon Family Farm Grass Run Farms Prairie Quest Farm flavor and texture of beef. Within each Prairie Hill Farm category, there are many variations as well. Participants sample eight different ribeye steaks. Fa r m e r s Ray Bratsch-Prince Karen, Bruce, Connie, Amber, Tom, Mary and Spencer Tom and Kristi Craig and LaVon Griffieon Ryan and Kristine Jepsen, different Dan Specht For example, both grass and grain may be fed Jared & Derek Carney Cory German and family producers in the region at different stages in the development of beef supports, prepared the beef. Seven PFI beef Re g i o n Ames, IA Maxwell, IA Polk City and Elkhart, IA Holstein, IA Ankeny, IA IA, MN, WI, SD, NE and MO North East Iowa, Driftless cattle. And, most of all, everyone has different producers ­— the Bratch-Prince, Carney, Br e e d Angus Angus cross-calf White Park Angus Limousin Predominately Angus Red Angus, Red Devon, and crosses of the two taste buds. German, Griffieon, Jepsen, Cory and Specht Di e t /Fe e d Pasture, then grass hay in Birth to weaning on perennial Grass to 6 months, 100% Grass-fed and From weaning on they are fed corn 100% Grass Fed, no grain or starch Totally grass fed, with grasses and legumes families — generously donated their rib-eye winter pasture; at growing late silage and hay 6-11 Certified Organic forage silage, cracked corn and all natural ever, no animal by-products grown on the farm, either grazed directly or To explore the nuances of flavor among beef steaks for this tasting event. The hosts of season annuals months, grass finished protein with no animal byproducts harvested for hay or silage to be fed in winter produced by PFI farmers and learn about a this field day, Craig and LaVon Griffieon, 11-19 months months variety of production practices, enthusiastic also purchased rib-eyes from Cattlemen Raising Cow bought as 600-lb. Home raised calves, born on Calves purchased The cattle are born and Herd breed from stock that has No confinement, no antibiotics, no All calves are born and raised on my farm, and Pr o t o c o l s heifer at Tama Sale Barn, pasture in April, weaned in from Steve and Paula raised on our farm. They been part of the farm since 1960. added hormones are grazing unless deep snow prevents it eaters as well as beef producers gathered Beef Quarters (distributed by Sysco) at Iowa May 2009. Cow had calf October. Vaccinated at weaning Moeckly. Selected in are on an all forage diet Cows and calves are born on the together at Griffieon Family Farm in Ankeny State Fair to include in the blind tasting. in 2010 and a premature with Vision 7 & Virashield 6 the fall when calves are from the time they start farm. Calves on blue grass/fescue/ calf, which it lost in 2011 + Somnus. From weaning to worked. No implants or grazing after birth until white clover/alfalfa mix from birth for the beef tasting field day on Saturday, Jan 1, calves were on winter vaccinations they are harvested until weaned at either 6 months or The goal of this tasting was to provide a rare September 17. annuals oats &turnips then to 500 lbs. opportunity where people could compare the feedlot to finish flavors of several kinds of meat and learn Finishing Cow stayed on grass until Feedlot ration of ground hay, On grass till processed. The animals are raised on Calves are around 1,200 lbs. and Grass finished.Nearly all cattle grade Most calves are fall born, harvested at about 2, Renown Chef Donna Prizgintas, Ames, Pr o t o c o l s its butcher date. Lost corn, wheat & corn syrup pasture during the growing usually 18 months old when finished USDA Select or Choice allowing a full season of grazing. Yearlings are about different production practices from the who has cooked for many PFI events and weight due to July heat season and in our yards grazed in a large group along with their mothers producers. during the winter months and younger siblings. When approaching harvest, for other nonprofit organizations that she they are given choicest grazing available. They can choose sweetest, highest energy grass as the leaders in a leader/follower system

Sl a u g h t e r h o u s e Mid-West Pack Locker, Mingo Locker Mingo Locker O’Neill Packing, Omaha; Mingo Locker JF O’Neill & Packing Company, Edgewood Locker Nevada Quality Refrigerated Omaha Services, Omaha

Bu t c h e r Larry Rasmussen Alex Frooginpol Alex Frooginpol Alex Frooginpol Kerndt Brothers

Ag i n g Dry aged, 8–10 days 10 Days Cooler, 14–21 days Wet aged, 30 Days Dry age, 12–18 Days Wet aged, 7–30 days Hang 10–12 days in cold storage. Te c h n i q u e /Ti m e (customer choice)

An t i b i o t i c s None None None Never None

Gr a z i n g p r a c t i c e Management intensive Rotational grazing, Short duration grazing Rotational grazing on cow/calf Cattle graze pasture during growing Rotational grazing is used, generally not in an rotational grazing management intensive with long rest periods paddocks until weaning. Moved season and are fed hay or stockpiled individual paddock longer than 5 days, with a grazing, and some high stock (over 60 days). every 5 days. Restored riparian area feed in the non-growing season. minimum 30-day rest period between grazing density grazing along Four Mile Creek, fenced off Encourage producers to rotationally buffer area and installed two rocked graze and most do crossings to give cattle water access

Fe e d Ad d i t i v e salt and mineral 100% drug free, no implants 100% drug-free, 100% drug- and hormone- 100% drug- and hormone-free, 100% or hormones, No animal hormone-free, 100% free, 100% grass-fed, 100% vegetarian. No animal byproducts byproducts. grass finished. vegetarian. No animal *Carneys produce both grain byproducts. and grass-based beef, and 100% Grass-fed, Certified this is the information on Organic feed. No added grain-based beef hormones or antibiotics

Pa c k a g i n g Butcher paper over plastic Cryovac Cryovac Wide variety includes vacuum packed with wrap automated weights label, accurate to .01 lbs.

Ot h e r Sell meat by the The farm and cattle are They are given free choice mineral. USDA Organic by MOSA. Low stress handling is bundle. Discounts start Certified Organic (One Practice low stress stock handling emphasized Amy Christensen and Ron Lindhart at 30 lbs. Works well for processor is certified techniques. No prodders, no dogs, budget-minded families organic, the other is not.) no loud noises 8 the Practical Farmer Beef Tasting Event

The responses were as diverse as the different backgrounds each beef entry represented. The exact same beef entry received comments such as “Not much flavor” and “Very smooth deep flavor.” This shows how everyone has distinct preferences, depending on where we are from, what kind of food we are used to eating, etc.

The chart at the right is the summary of the production systems for the rib-eye steak provided by PFI producers for the event. Event hosts Craig and LaVon Griffieon Earl Hafner and Dan Specht lend a hand with the grilling.

Fa r m Prairie Cattle Company Carney Family Farm The Cory’s at Thankful Harvest Griffieon Family Farm Grass Run Farms Prairie Quest Farm Prairie Hill Farm

Fa r m e r s Ray Bratsch-Prince Karen, Bruce, Connie, Amber, Tom, Mary and Spencer Tom and Kristi Craig and LaVon Griffieon Ryan and Kristine Jepsen, different Dan Specht Jared & Derek Carney Cory German and family producers in the region

Re g i o n Ames, IA Maxwell, IA Polk City and Elkhart, IA Holstein, IA Ankeny, IA IA, MN, WI, SD, NE and MO North East Iowa, Driftless

Br e e d Angus Angus cross-calf White Park Angus Limousin Predominately Angus Red Angus, Red Devon, and crosses of the two

Di e t /Fe e d Pasture, then grass hay in Birth to weaning on perennial Grass to 6 months, 100% Grass-fed and From weaning on they are fed corn 100% Grass Fed, no grain or starch Totally grass fed, with grasses and legumes winter pasture; at growing late silage and hay 6-11 Certified Organic forage silage, cracked corn and all natural ever, no animal by-products grown on the farm, either grazed directly or season annuals months, grass finished protein with no animal byproducts harvested for hay or silage to be fed in winter 11-19 months months

Raising Cow bought as 600-lb. Home raised calves, born on Calves purchased The cattle are born and Herd breed from stock that has No confinement, no antibiotics, no All calves are born and raised on my farm, and Pr o t o c o l s heifer at Tama Sale Barn, pasture in April, weaned in from Steve and Paula raised on our farm. They been part of the farm since 1960. added hormones are grazing unless deep snow prevents it May 2009. Cow had calf October. Vaccinated at weaning Moeckly. Selected in are on an all forage diet Cows and calves are born on the in 2010 and a premature with Vision 7 & Virashield 6 the fall when calves are from the time they start farm. Calves on blue grass/fescue/ calf, which it lost in 2011 + Somnus. From weaning to worked. No implants or grazing after birth until white clover/alfalfa mix from birth Jan 1, calves were on winter vaccinations they are harvested until weaned at either 6 months or annuals oats &turnips then to 500 lbs. feedlot to finish

Finishing Cow stayed on grass until Feedlot ration of ground hay, On grass till processed. The animals are raised on Calves are around 1,200 lbs. and Grass finished.Nearly all cattle grade Most calves are fall born, harvested at about 2, Pr o t o c o l s its butcher date. Lost corn, wheat & corn syrup pasture during the growing usually 18 months old when finished USDA Select or Choice allowing a full season of grazing. Yearlings are weight due to July heat season and in our yards grazed in a large group along with their mothers during the winter months and younger siblings. When approaching harvest, they are given choicest grazing available. They can choose sweetest, highest energy grass as the leaders in a leader/follower system

Sl a u g h t e r h o u s e Mid-West Pack Locker, Mingo Locker Mingo Locker O’Neill Packing, Omaha; Mingo Locker JF O’Neill & Packing Company, Edgewood Locker Nevada Quality Refrigerated Omaha Services, Omaha

Bu t c h e r Larry Rasmussen Alex Frooginpol Alex Frooginpol Alex Frooginpol Kerndt Brothers

Ag i n g Dry aged, 8–10 days 10 Days Cooler, 14–21 days Wet aged, 30 Days Dry age, 12–18 Days Wet aged, 7–30 days Hang 10–12 days in cold storage. Te c h n i q u e /Ti m e (customer choice)

An t i b i o t i c s None None None Never None

Gr a z i n g p r a c t i c e Management intensive Rotational grazing, Short duration grazing Rotational grazing on cow/calf Cattle graze pasture during growing Rotational grazing is used, generally not in an rotational grazing management intensive with long rest periods paddocks until weaning. Moved season and are fed hay or stockpiled individual paddock longer than 5 days, with a grazing, and some high stock (over 60 days). every 5 days. Restored riparian area feed in the non-growing season. minimum 30-day rest period between grazing density grazing along Four Mile Creek, fenced off Encourage producers to rotationally buffer area and installed two rocked graze and most do crossings to give cattle water access

Fe e d Ad d i t i v e salt and mineral 100% drug free, no implants 100% drug-free, 100% drug- and hormone- 100% drug- and hormone-free, 100% or hormones, No animal hormone-free, 100% free, 100% grass-fed, 100% vegetarian. No animal byproducts byproducts. grass finished. vegetarian. No animal *Carneys produce both grain byproducts. and grass-based beef, and 100% Grass-fed, Certified this is the information on Organic feed. No added grain-based beef hormones or antibiotics

Pa c k a g i n g Butcher paper over plastic Cryovac Cryovac Wide variety includes vacuum packed with wrap automated weights label, accurate to .01 lbs.

Ot h e r Sell meat by the The farm and cattle are They are given free choice mineral. USDA Organic by MOSA. Low stress handling is bundle. Discounts start Certified Organic (One Practice low stress stock handling emphasized at 30 lbs. Works well for processor is certified techniques. No prodders, no dogs, budget-minded families organic, the other is not.) no loud noises www.practicalfarmers.org 9 2012 Annual Conference Registration has begun for PFI’s 2012 Annual Conference this year’s theme, “Made from Scratch”

Practical Farmers of Iowa is cooking up Topics will include: encouraged land managers to enter The Soil an agriculture with a blend of benefits for • Landscape history and soil formation Carbon Challenge, sometimes called the World both farmers and consumers: profitable • Soil morphology, classification, Carbon Cup, an international competition enterprises, healthful food, strong taxonomy and architecture to see how fast land managers can turn communities, clean air and water — and • Activity: soil texture by feel method atmospheric carbon into soil organic matter. a commitment to farmers of the future. • Soil colloids Danish farmer to speak on • Soil water This year’s theme, “Made from Scratch” • Organic matter responding to regulation will be reflected in the keynote address, • Soil pH given by Fedele Bauccio, co-founder of Bon • Soil maps Appétit Management Company. In 1987, • Nutrients and fertility Bauccio set out to revolutionize the food • Soil biology service industry by bringing fresh, made- • Soil ecology from-scratch food to the contract market. • Indicators of soil health you (Read about Bauccio on page 18.) can measure on your farm • Presentations on practical soil Kaj Munck The conference will be held at the Iowa management from vegetable farmer Tim State Center, Scheman Building, Suite Landgraf and dairy farmer Francis Thicke 102, in Ames, January 13–14, 2012. The course will be held at the Agronomy In 1988, Kaj Munck and his wife, Anette, Department on the Iowa State University raised 65 sows and no finishers. Now they More than 30 informative sessions are Campus. Dinner will be included Thursday have 400 breeding sows and sell about 8,000 being offered, beginning with Soils evening. Register for the class when you pigs per year. Meanwhile, regulations on 101, at ISU Agronomy Hall, before the register for the conference. For more farming in Denmark have grown as well, official start of the conference. information, contact Kevin Dietzel at Kevin@ including a ban on subtherapeutic antibiotic practicalfarmers.org or 515/232-5661. use in 1998 and an upcoming ban on gestation PFI adds “Soils 101” course crates (in 2013). Kaj will share information Abe Collins joins us to talk about about his operation, including his nutrient soil carbon management procedures and markets, and Abe Collins grazes his take on the various aspects of animal cattle at his welfare and environmental regulation in Vermont farm and this intensely farmed and populated nation. is the founder of Come and help us welcome Kaj to Iowa! New Soil Matrix, New Soil Quantum, Beginning farmers vet their and a co-founder business plans with experts of the Soil Carbon Come hear farmers “pitch” their business New this year! Practical Farmers of Iowa will Abe Collins Coalition. plans to the experts! In this session, be offering a short course on soils before the “Everything official start of the conference. The course good comes will run from Thursday, January 12: 1:00-8:00 from the soil,” Collins said. “That’s our basic p.m., to Friday, January 13, 8:00–11:30 a.m. assumption. Increasing soil carbon is the key Sara Hanson to our environmental security, and to both Instructors for the course include: Dr. Lee urban and rural development.” For many years, Burras, Iowa State University; Dr. Andrew Collins said, the common-knowledge maxim Manu, Iowa State University; Amber Anderson- has been that it takes 1,000 years to build one Mba, MS, Sustainable Agriculture; Tim inch of topsoil. But that is no longer true. We Landgraf, vegetable farmer from One Step at now know how, he says, to build up to eight a Time Gardens; and Francis Thicke, Radiance inches of topsoil a year to pull carbon out of Dairy. the air and thereby to draw down dangerous

CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Collins

10 the Practical Farmer 2012 Annual Conference

beginning vegetable farmer Sara Hanson will share how they freeze Iowa produce at High-Energy Forages: The Key to and beginning mixed livestock farmers an institutional scale to serve Iowa produce Grass Finishing Ryan and Janice Marquardt present details during the off-season. Learn also the tips for of their business plans, including their dehydrating produce and root cellaring from Security Through Improved projected income statement, cash flow expert preservers (and PFI members) Donna Soil Health statements, and marketing plans. A panel Prizgintas, Lonna Nachtigal, Beth Kemp, and of experts, including a private banker, Mary Swander. Watch a dehydrating demo, Profitable Pigs with investor, and Farm Credit lender, will offer taste little pieces of summer with dried Alternative Feeds feedback on strong points of the plans as cantaloupe melons and watermelons, and learn well as suggestions for improvements. how to make these delicious fruit candies. Producing an Abundance for The session also includes a tour of commercial your CSA Off-farm inputs: Using less to kitchen at one of the ISU Dining facilities. earn more Investing in Farms and Farmers Increasing vegetable production to fill the markets Profitable Nut and Fruit Tree Crops

Rufus Haucke Mobile Meat Processing: Successes and Failures

Balancing Steel and Herbicides to Reduce Resistance Matt Liebman Craig Chase Mastering Strawberry Production

Data from Iowa State University says that Preserving Your Farm adding a third crop to the corn and soybean Rufus Haucke joins the conference to provide rotation can increase farm income while one farm’s success in meeting the growing Lots of Local Foods reducing farmers’ dependence on volatile demand for vegetables. Rufus’s Keewaydin input markets. Not convinced? Come learn Farms markets products to Minneapolis, Crop Insurance: Options for Fruit ways to reduce your use of herbicides, Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicago through and Vegetable Producers nitrogen fertilizers and GMO seeds and grocery stores, restaurants, wholesale the economics behind these money-saving distributors, and an on-farm CSA that serves Beginning Farmers: Sharing Tips alternatives from research conducted by the Madison area. Rufus also owns Keewaydin on Getting Started agronomist Dr. Matt Liebman and economist Dr. Organics, a wholesale distributor that markets Craig Chase. In addition, see the differences products from 40-50 southwestern Wisconsin Non-Operator Landowners: between non-GMO and GMO technology farms. The warehouse, located in Viroqua, Farming Your Land More packages from 2008-2011 of this study. contains storage space, coolers and a kitchen Sustainably that should be in operation by next May. Extending the season in Policy: Influencing Policy on the your kitchen Other informative Local Level ISU Dining Director Nancy Levandowski and sessions include: Field Crops: What Are You the new ISU executive chef Richard Rexroat Cover Crops: 101 and Advanced Planting This Year? Come and Farmer Strategies For Saving Share Lonna Nachtigal Energy – and Money Check www.practicalfarmers.org and A Vegetable Farm’s Journey your mailbox for more details! to Success

Increase Sales through Season Extension

www.practicalfarmers.org 11 Annual Conference 2012

Fedele Bauccio to provide keynote address for 2012 PFI Annual Conference by Teresa Opheim

The keynote address for the 2012 PFI nourish this critically endangered segment Annual Conference will be given by of agriculture known as the ‘disappearing Fedele Bauccio, founder and Chief middle.’ And by requiring third-party humane Executive Officer of Bon Appétit certification, Bon Appétit also hopes to Management Company. Bon Appétit increase the supply of ethically raised meat provides food service to more than and poultry, which has not kept up with 400 cafes in 31 states, including demand as the meat industry consolidates corporations such as Target and Yahoo! under ever-more-massive factory farms.” and colleges including American University and St. Olaf. Reducing food wastes, reduces carbon footprint Bon Appétit leads its industry in implementing Through the company’s “Low Carbon Diet” sustainable practices. The company spends program, Bon Appétit has reduced food waste more than $55 million annually purchasing from by 20 percent. Most of their food is fresh and local producers. It has used rBGH-free milk and I am in this game prepared daily on site so chefs adapt their yogurt since 2002, hamburger from animals menus to use what’s on hand, including using raised without the routine use of antibiotics to change it, not to excess food in soups and stocks. Bon Appétit since 2003, and cagefree shell eggs since 2005. complain about it. has also developed cooking methods that use In 2007, Bon Appétit launched a campaign to cuts from an animal through its “nose to tail” drastically reduce the carbon footprint of all Fedele Bauccio policy. “With a United Nations Report on food its cafés, and in 2011, Bon Appétit’s foundation waste worldwide stating that over half of all released a report documenting the lack of legal food produced is wasted or discarded due protections and rights for farmworkers. to inefficiencies in the supply chain, we’re Humble beginnings to stepping up to do everything we can to reduce his own company our contribution to the problem,” Fedele says. A childhood filled with flavor A first generation Italian-American, Fedele Fedele’s first job was washing dishes in the Fedele and Bon Appétit have received many says, “I know a little bit about the value and commons at University of Portland; within six awards. Fedele was honored with one of simple pleasures of good food.” He grew up months he worked up to become a kitchen the inaugural James Beard Foundation chomping on “fresh tomatoes like they were worker peeling vegetables. He founded Bon Leadership Awards (also won this year by PFI apples, the juice dribbling down my chin. Appétit in 1986 to “transform the food that member Fred Kirschenmann, Senior Fellow people eat at college and in the workplace.” of the Leopold Center, who will introduce “Early on my mother instilled in me the his friend, Fedele, at the PFI conference.) importance of growing, cooking and When the company began its Farm to Fork savoring (preferably with friends) the local purchasing program back in 1999, “it was Fedele said his work is “about rebuilding a freshest ingredients from the garden.” originally to address the loss of flavor we’d regional food system capable of providing He’s disheartened to read statistics about noticed in produce grown on a large scale and healthy food to everyone, while enabling how, for example, first graders can’t even shipped cross country,” says Fedele. “Flavor farmers to make a living. It’s about shortening identify a tomato. However, like the surge of and taste were critical to me. I allowed the the supply chain and fostering personal beginning farmers to Practical Farmers, Fedele chefs to go out in the community. And support connections between producers, chefs and sees “on college campuses, everywhere, local farmers, and gain their trust to grow diners. It’s about supporting the work of small another side of young Americans” who are our apples, lettuce and tomatoes. We called family farmers and preserving the integrity “reconnecting themselves to our beautiful it Farm to Fork before it was fashionable.” they bring to the food they produce.” countryside, the fertile soil and the flavorful ingredients of my own childhood.” Today Bon Appétit is working to increase For more on Bon Appétit and Fedele Bauccio, its purchases from mid-size poultry and visit www.bamco.com or the company’s hog farms, cattle ranches and dairies that educational site, Circle of Responsibility: meet its stringent criteria. According to the www.circleofresponsibility.com. Bon Appétit website, “By doing so, it will

12 the Practical Farmer Planned Giving

Policies of Bon Appétit

Farm to Fork: Bon Appetit’s first choice is to purchase seasonal, regional and organic produce from local farmers and artisan Leave A Legacy producers within a 150-mile radius. These local products are served within 48 hours of harvest.

Meats: The company purchases only turkey Our legacy? We want breast and chicken that has been produced Practical Farmers of Iowa to without the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics carry on for generations to that belong to classes of compounds approved for use in human medicine. Hamburgers come so we have designated are made with fresh ground chuck from PFI as a beneficiary of our beef raised on vegetarian feed without antibiotics or added hormones. For other life insurance policy. meats, Bon Appétit chefs buy products free of Sean Skeehan & Jill Beebout antibiotics as a first preference. Free-range, Blue Gate Farm organic and grass-fed beef and pork from local sources is served at many locations.

Cage-free eggs: Bon Appétit’s shell eggs are from sources that meet the animal care standards of Humane Farm There are ways to provide for your loved ones AND leave a legacy Animal Care, an independent farm animal welfare certifying organization. for Practical Farmers of Iowa. You can do both, and it’s easy.

Dairy: Fluid milk is free of antibiotics • Designate a portion of your retirement plan for PFI and recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH). Local sources are • Leave a life insurance policy the first choice for dairy purchase. • Make a gift through your will Seafood: Seafood is purchased in accordance with the Monterey Bay • Make a gift now and receive income for life (charitable Aquarium’s Seafood Watch guidelines for sustainable seafood. Locally-sourced fish gift annuity) is the first choice for seafood purchases. Tuna is dolphin-safe, packed in water. Many such gifts can help you and your family today as well as Fair Trade: Bon Appétit supports farmers’ rights and offers Fair Trade help our mission years into the future. You can put some in place Certified, shade grown and organic coffee options wherever possible. today without affecting your cash flow during your lifetime.

Low Carbon Diet: Bon Appétit’s Low Want to learn more? Contact Teresa Opheim, Executive Carbon Diet program promotes seasonality, provides alternatives to foreign and bottled Director, 515.232.5661 or [email protected]. water, conducts energy audits of equipment and develops innovative waste management programs. Diners have the opportunity to Important: Consult with your own legal calculate and reduce the carbon footprint of and financial advisors before making any planned gift. their own food choices with an interactive calculator at www.eatlowcarbon.org.

www.practicalfarmers.org 13 2011 Field Days

(Above) Ken Van Hulzen is pressing forage samples to be used in an optical Brix meter, which measures the sugar content of the grasses. The higher sugar content, the better the grass is at fattening beef cattle and increasing milk production in dairy cattle. Ken is the father of MOB Grazing Field Day host Kraig Van Hulzen, Van Hulzen Farms, Rose Hill. (Right) A field day participant reads the results as daylight filters through a glass prism to reveal a percentage of dissolved sucrose to water ratio.

(Below) Randy and Linda Naeve, Nature Road Farm, Boone, explain to participants how they are using their new high tunnel to capture rainwater to irrigate their crops. (Lower right) Linda demonstrates how the water collects in a large tank and then is pumped through a series of drip hoses to the plants.

14 the Practical Farmer 2011 Field Days

(Above) Todd Churchhill, Thousand Acres Cattle Company, Cannon Falls, MN, talks about forage quality and grass-fed beef at the Rosmann’s field day.

(Top right) The Rosmann family members, Maria, Ron, Ellen, Daniel and Mark, pose for this picture after a rainy but informative field day.

(Middle) Tim Landgraf and Jan Libbey provide an overview of vegetable handling, washing and storage at One Step at a Time Gardens.

(Below) There’s always lots of great food at PFI Field Days. Salsa fans sample the fare at Sean O’Sullivan’s Value-Added Salsa field day.

(Below right) Sean fires up his custom-built pepper roaster, sending bags of roasted peppers home with field day guests.

www.practicalfarmers.org 15 2011 Field Days

(Left) James Frantzen hosts a PFI Field Day with his parents Tom and Irene about farm succession, niche pork and energy.

(Middle left) Paul Mugge talks about research projects that he and wife Karen have conducted on their organically certified farm near Sutherland.

(Middle center) Stefan Gailans, ISU graduate assistant, agronomy, examines a non-GMO corn hybrid at Paul and Karen Mugge’s field day.

(Middle right) Field day participants (from left to right) , Angie Sullivan, Isabel Blanchard, Chris Blanchard and Harriet Behar learn about fencing and watering for cattle and sheep at the Beard family’s field day.

(Adjacent page, top left) Shanen and Beau Ebersole, Ebersole Cattle Co., Kellerton, explain how they raise quality grass-fed beef.

(Adjacent page, top right) Field day goers take a hay rack ride through Francis Thicke’s pastures while Francis talks about rotational grazing.

(Above) Craig Fleishman, Cardinal Farms, Minburn, talks with PFI founding member Dick Thompson about Craig’s efforts to control weeds by striking a balance between ridge tillage and herbicides.

(Right) The discussion at Craig and his wife Deb’s field day also touched on the problem of glyphosate-resistant weeds.

16 the Practical Farmer 2011 Field2011 Days Field Days

(Middle) The fellas share a laugh during Sharon Krause’s organic sheep and prairie restoration field day. (Middle right) Tyler Franzenburg, FFC Enterprises, hosts a field day on organic seed options and managing manure. He raises corn, soybeans, small grains and a small cow-calf herd with his dad, Greg.

(Above) Sharon Krause, Della Terra Ranch, Earlham, is show here with her sheep herd. (Above) PFI members Mark Tjelmeland (left) and Doug Roberts enjoy refreshments and conversation at Tyler Franzenburg’s field day in Keystone. www.practicalfarmers.org 17 Field Crops PFI member and longtime farmer strikes a balance between technology and biology by Sally Worley Paul and Nancy Ackley started farming dramatic that we just at their current farm near Bedford in can’t ignore them, it’s still 1969 when Paul was discharged from a biological system.” the Army. Their operation started out with farrow-to-finish hogs, a beef cow Learning how cover herd, corn and soybeans. Throughout crops could improve his the years, their operation has changed; operation most notably they had a shift in focus As Paul’s farm progressed toward reducing inputs and using over the years, he began biology to improve soil. to see things in the field that indicated you can’t Other changes include terminating the indefinitely plant corn and hog operation in 2007 and adding a flock beans, corn and beans. of hair sheep last summer. “They’ve He started to become done a real good job,” Paul says about interested in cover crops the sheep. “They’ve been one of the and the benefits they best experiments we’ve ever tried.” brought to his system. Paul and Nancy continue to run 80 to Paul and Nancy Ackley farm near Bedford. 100 beef cattle on grass. Paul produces Paul first incorporated winter hay on some of his thin or steep ground. rye into his rotation in the mid “Maybe we’ll crop marginal land three to “The soil is full of nutrients; most of four years out of six, and then go back Fifty years or so ago, them just aren’t released,” he says. to hay with it.” Paul and Nancy continue “When you grow different crops, they to raise corn, beans and wheat. They we got real excited will bring up different nutrients and farm a total 1100 acres; 750 on farmland cycle them to the next crop. Some of they own and 350 on rented land. about science and them are a lot more favorable for the technology, and we left crop behind them. Winter rye almost has Striking a balance between a symbiotic relationship with soybeans. technology and biology the biology, husbandry I’ve gotten a really good effect planting Paul has continued to turn an eye toward soybeans into a rye cover crop and practices that reduce inputs, feed the and natural processes corn stalks, equivalent to planting corn biological life in the soil and decrease behind. We still need into clover sod or soybean stubble.” erosion. Gully erosion is a serious issue on his Taylor County land. Paul says, some of these things. Winter rye increases soybean health “Agriculture is defined as a promotion Paul Ackley or encouragement of life. Fifty years Planting winter rye prior to soybeans or so ago, we got real excited about has increased the health of his soybean science and technology, and we left the 1970s. “We began by planting some rye stand, alleviating the need to spray biology, husbandry and natural processes behind corn stalks ahead of soybeans soybeans for aphids. Paul prefers to plant behind. We still need some of these off and on,” he recalls. “We got really rye in the fall right after the corn is things. If it’s defined as a promotion of serious about it in the 90s, and even more harvested by mixing it with dry fertilizer life, maybe we need to promote life so after the turn of the century.” Paul’s and broadcasting it just before a rain. in the soil. In nature the soil feeds the interest in cover crops led him to Internet “I try to plant rye as soon after the corn plant, and the plant in turn feeds the searches on the subject as well as cover is out as is practical,” Paul explains. “If soil. I think industrial agriculture has crop seminars. “My research made me there is a rain coming, I just hire the left this concept behind for 50 years. realize we’d just begun scratching the local coop to do it. They usually have a surface, and there was a whole lot little time in the fall, and the fertilizer “While agricultural advances aren’t all more we can do with cover crops. cart might be going into the field about bad, and the results of implementing the time the combine is leaving. We are new science and technology were so

18 the Practical Farmer Field Crops

… I think we’re going Wheat rotation followed by cover Cover crops anchor soil against crop reduces weeds wind and heavy rains to be able to cut Paul has added a wheat rotation to his Paul’s next concoction will include per out one herbicide farm. The wheat year alone may not acre: 40 pounds of winter wheat, five be profitable; however, its addition to pounds of hairy vetch, 15 pounds of application when we the rotation will help smooth out the winter peas, and two to three pounds come back behind that economic bumps because it adds diversity of crimson clover. “I think we need to his rotation. This year he followed a grass crop. The fibrous grass roots cover crop with corn. the wheat with a cover crop cocktail on our soils to really get the stuff made up of forage sorghum, pearl nailed down for the winter and spring Paul Ackley millet, winter peas, and sunflowers. when we get those washing rains.” able to get some of it in before the first “From our first year on it, I think we’re Paul hasn’t yet reduced the amount of October if the weather cooperates.” going to be able to cut out one herbicide of fertilizer he applies as a result of application when we come back behind incorporating cover crops on his farm, Last year he drilled most of his winter rye that cover crop with corn. This year but hopes to in time. “That’s the goal,” after corn harvest due to dry conditions. we didn’t do that, but there were very he says. “People I talk to say you should With the dry conditions so far this fall, few weeds out there. There was some give yourself five years to back off the he is planning to drill it in again this volunteer wheat, a few stray peas, and fertilizer and some of the other inputs.” year. In spring, Paul terminates the rye that was about it.” with Roundup. “As far as the soybeans go, there’s no hurry to get a kill for them Adding animals unless the spring turns out dry,” he says. improves soil “We have had it headed out and not Paul planted this even had it killed and planted into it.” cocktail with the plan to graze his cattle on Wheat after soybeans and it over the winter. before corn He planted this mix Paul has also planted wheat after after wheat in the soybeans and before corn. He feels wheat middle of July so he is a better crop to fill in after soybeans has substantial growth before corn. “Wheat’s not quite so for the cattle to feed grouchy about taking up nitrogen,” he on. “I think it’s good says, “and it breaks down faster than the to get the cattle on rye when it’s terminated.” Paul thinks the cropland to use he takes a reduction in corn yield if he some of the crop stover doesn’t terminate rye two weeks before through the winter. planting corn. “We had some this spring The cover crop mix that got terminated two weeks before it will also provide good was planted to corn, and we had some winter feed. They walk that was terminated three days before through it and knock planting corn,” he explains. “It looks down about as much like there will be a 10-15 bushel yield as they eat, but that’s difference between the two fields. You fine. It creates a real can actually see it just walking into them. boost in organic matter. When we walked the field where rye Hopefully they’ll was terminated three days before corn walk it down to the got planted at tasseling stage, the corn ground so it’s laying looked like it was nitrogen deficient.” flat by next spring.”

Paul Ackley protects his soil with cover crops.

www.practicalfarmers.org 19 Next Generation

Savings Incentive Program exceeds fundraising goal, provides help to growing network of PFI beginning farmers We are proud to announce that PFI Over a two-year period, SIP has surpassed its fundraising goal for enrollees will create or fine the Savings Incentive Program (SIP). tune a business plan and We will be able to serve 100 beginning participate in programming farmers through the program by 2016! to help their farms succeed.

Practical Farmers of Iowa started raising money Business-planning pie for the program in 2010, its 25th anniversary. A business plan can act as “We wanted to use that occasion to look to a road map to a successful the future and show our commitment to those business, but creating such a who will be farming over the next 25 years,” document can seem daunting says PFI Executive Director Teresa Opheim. to busy beginners. Because it is so easy to procrastinate and Beginning farmers Rebecca Lamb and Garrett Caryl are shown here in Practical Farmers has now raised more than never develop this important front of their sow pasture where they raise two sows and their litters. $290,000 for SIP, $40,000 above our goal of tool, we have incorporated $250,000. The goal was surpassed recently completion of a business plan into the SIP would like to help a beginner get started. The with the news that we have received a requirements. Ten beginning farmers started landowner is willing to provide a long-term lease $128,800 Assets for Independence grant by the their participation in this program in January on additional land adjacent to the home-place to Administration for Children and Families, Office 2011; 20 to 25 more will begin the journey someone who will grow organic crops and raise of Community Services within the Department in January 2012. The business-planning pie pastured livestock. On this five-acre homestead, of Health and Human Services. The grant is chart (below) illustrates the components Garrett and Rebecca raise approximately 1,500 being added to the very generous donations required to fulfill the SIP requirements. broiler chickens, a couple of sows and their from more than 100 individuals and businesses. litters, and maintain two beehives. They use To help complete this pie, each SIP enrollee has rotational grazing to raise three dairy bull Your generosity is appreciated! received, “Building a Sustainable Business” guide. calves owned by friends and family. They also All of the donors to SIP are deeply appreciated. This book, developed by the Minnesota Institute raise hay on four acres at another location, Thank you especially to the following largest for Sustainable Agriculture, walks farmers step leased from a family friend in Story County. donors: AgVentures Alliance, the Soper Family, by step through the process and can be accessed the Schnieders Family Foundation, G. David Hurd, online at www.misa.umn.edu/Publications/ Garrett works Monday through Saturday off the Fred and Charlotte Hubbell BuildingaSustainableBusiness. farm and cares for his field and barnyard of Foundation, and Helen D. mixed livestock in his spare time. In 2009, Gunderson (in memory of 9. Executive 1. Advisory SIP Enrollee Snapshot he founded G-Man Farms LLC while taking Summary Team her parents, Marion and Garrett Caryl, 24, classes at Iowa Valley Community College. This Deane Gunderson). Marshalltown, is one of May, Garret completed an associates degree 8. Finances 2. Farm 10 SIP recipients who in Entrepreneurial Diversified Agriculture. The number of Background has started to work beginners coming to on his business plan. Rebecca attends Iowa Valley Community College Practical Farmers He and his fiancé and is studying for an associate’s degree in early for networking 7. Operations 3. Mission Rebecca Lamb aspire childhood education and elementary art. She and practical to operate a certified- works part time and does farm chores while farming know-how organic farm with row spearheading the writing of the business plan. has now increased crops, hay and small Garrett and Rebecca are working on their business to more than 500. 6. Markets 4. Vision grains. They plan to raise plan advisory team, farm background and mission. 5. Goals niche market livestock There are many factors including pigs that are Contact Luke Gran at luke@practicalfarmers. working against these farrowed on pasture, egg layers org, or at 515.232-5661 to have a copy of PFI’s beginning farmers, such as high- and broiler chickens, ducks and beef “Business Planning Resource Guide” or the priced farmland and low returns for their cattle on well-managed, high-quality pastures. “Building a Sustainable Business” guide, mention labor. Thanks to all of you, PFI plans to be previously, mailed to you in print form. there for them as they successfully establish Garrett and Rebecca rent a farmhouse and profitable, environmentally sound businesses. five acres of pasture from a local family that 20 the Practical Farmer Research

Dordt College Continuous Corn and Three-Year Rotation farming systems

Bioenergy and diversity from sustainable systems and crops by Rich Schuler Which cropping system is best for seeding of red clover). Dordt College and PFI chose Three-Year Rotation was 29 percent greater producing biofuels: corn-on-corn, or a to analyze these two farming systems to determine than the Continuous Corn system. This was three-year rotation? It is well documented which is most practical for producing biofuels. attributed to the greatly reduced amounts of that a three-year or longer rotation nitrogen fertilizer needed to grow, maintain and takes fewer external or “off-farm” inputs Dordt College in Sioux Center established the harvest the crops in the Three-Year Rotation. compared to a corn-on-corn system. What two farming system treatments in a controlled, is the result if we compare these two side-by-side experiment. The Continuous Corn With respect to the energy per acre derived in systems, not only by how much energy is and the Three-Year Rotation treatments have all 2009 and 2010, the Continuous Corn and Three- used on the farm, but also by how much parts of the rotation present in every year (See Year Rotation systems yielded an average net energy is produced in the form of biofuels? photo, top of the page). Each plot is 0.4 acres in energy of 8.66 and 6.66 M-BTU/acre respectively. size and each treatment is replicated three times. These values are also statistically different; The production of biofuels requires significant Dordt College representatives took extensive consequently, the Land Efficiency, or the amount energy to process the harvested farm products field notes on all field operations for planting and of energy produced per acre of land, in the into ethanol or biodiesel. If farmers are planning harvesting, all inputs applied to each cropping Continuous Corn system is 26 percent higher to sell crops that will be made into bio-fuels or if system and the yield and moisture content of the than the Three-Year Rotation system. This result they are planning to make bio-fuels on-farm, the crops. The red clover in the Three-Year Rotation is attributed to the oat/red clover part of the overall energy use (from the first tilling pass to was only clipped and returned to the farming Three-Year Rotation not providing any “biofuel” the delivery of the first gallon of biofuel) could system as green manure. Only oat grain and straw to the total biofuel produced per acre. be substantially different. An understanding were harvested from that part of the rotation. of all the energy costs associated with varying Using data from published literature, PFI staff Since neither the Continuous Corn nor the Three- cropping systems will allow farmers to be better calculated the energy required to process the corn Year Rotation system has a higher efficiency decision-makers in the biofuel marketplace. from the Continuous Corn and Three-Year Rotation in both the energy and land categories, a systems into ethanol, and the soybeans from the definitive conclusion cannot be drawn on the The recent volatility in energy costs and the Three-Year Rotation system into biodiesel. In basis of energy alone. On one hand, if the main varying claims of biofuel production efficiencies addition, PFI staff computed the energy in the goal is to maximize the biofuel energy output prompted Dordt College and Practical Farmers of final biofuel products (ethanol and biodiesel). with respect to the fossil fuel energy input, the Iowa to cooperate in a three-year bioenergy and Three-Year Rotation system is superior. On the crop diversity study beginning in 2008. This ongoing Table 1 (below) includes the results of this study to other hand, the Continuous Corn system is the project compares two Midwest cropping systems by date, and clearly reveals two distinct categories of preferred choice if the highest biofuel energy evaluating the difference between the energy used efficiency: Energy Efficiency and Land Efficiency. output per acre is the primary objective. to grow, harvest and process crops into biofuels Energy Efficiency is the ratio of the output energy and the energy embodied in the final biofuel to the input energy, while the Land Efficiency To draw an appropriate conclusion on products. The two cropping systems are defined is the net energy derived per acre of land. the overall superiority of either system, as: Continuous Corn (corn-on-corn) and Three-Year the analysis must be expanded to include Rotation (corn, soybean and oats with an under In 2009 and 2010, the Three-Year Rotation and additional parameters. Consequently, the

Continuous Corn treatments economics and the CO2 emissions produced Table 1. Summary of the Energy and Land Efficiencies computed for 2009 and 2010. yielded an average of 1.74 and by the two different cropping systems will ENERGY EFFICIENCY LAND EFFICIENCY 1.30 M-BTUs for each fossil be evaluated. This “expanded analysis” will (M-BTU/M-BTU) (M-BTUs/A) Year fuel M-BTU input used to plant, be conducted following the 2012 harvest. Three Year Three Year Continuous Corn Rotation Continuous Corn Rotation harvest and process the crops 2009 1.29 1.76 7.86 6.01 into biofuels. These values are Funding for this project is provided by SARE 2010 1.32 1.72 9.45 7.32 statistically different; therefore, (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Total Biofuel Energy Output Energy Efficiency = the Energy Efficiency, or amount program) Questions? Contact Sarah Carlson, Total Energy Input of energy produced compared 515.232.5661, [email protected]. Total Biofuel EnergyOutput −Total EnergyInput Net Energy Land Efficiency = = Acre Acre to the amount needed in the www.practicalfarmers.org 21

Member Contributions

PFI member book review — Gathering: Memoir of a Seed Saver by Mary Swalla Holmes “This book is a gathering of people, seeds Along the way, she met Kent Whealy, who place where seed could and stories.” Author Diane Ott Whealy shared her love of gardening, homesteading be grown and kept takes readers on a delicious journey and a self-sufficient life style. They lived viable and also be a through her life, from gathering up in Colorado, Oregon, Kansas and Missouri, showplace — where memories of grandparents to establishing growing a family and accumulating seeds. members could visit a world-renowned organization devoted to Diane describes her obsession for canning and and experience the biodiversity. She is wonderful story-teller, her appreciation for the old varieties of fruits sights and smells of choosing just the right details to entice the and vegetables that were disappearing from genetic diversity. imagination. The book is also beautifully the commercial seed catalogues. In 1974, Kent illustrated, with an almost scrapbook wrote to several popular back-to-the-land The story continues quality. It even includes a few recipes! magazines in an effort to contact other seed as the family, and savers. The mail brought five or six responses the organization, moves The journey begins with scenes from Grandma and a tiny seed-savers network was begun. to Decorah, Iowa, and establishes the Heritage and Grandpa Ott’s farm near St. Lucas Farm. Diane is open and honest about the ups in northeast Iowa. It was Grandpa Ott who From that humble beginning, each year brought and downs, the challenges and the rewards handed the seed of the now famous Grandpa growth and the need for more time, space of a life lived in pursuit of a dream. In one of Ott’s Morning Glory to Diane for safekeeping, and support for the organization. The first the last chapters, “The Unexpected Happens,” sparking her seed-saving campaign. Diane publication was the “True Seed Exchange” and she chronicles the end of her marriage and writes, “As I helped him in the garden, it never it quickly grew to three hundred members. her realization that the organization has life occurred to me that I was doing anything out In 1979 Kent and Diane changed the name to of its own. As many of you know, Seed Savers of the ordinary, or that a simple act of saving “Seed Savers Exchange.” It was becoming not Exchange is a thriving organization today. those seeds would one day describe my life’s only an exchange but a repository as well. The Diane serves as Vice President of Education. work.” purity of the heirloom seed was of upmost The book is $25 and can be ordered online at importance, and it needed to be grown to http://www.seedsavers.org. survive. Diane and Kent began to dream of a

Mini Grants help youth find solutions to on-farm challenges by Luke Gran Maria Roland and her brother Peter James of training and using a farm dog to pull a Roland are creative problem solvers, small cart to help haul the harvest. who used PFI Youth Mini Grant funds to explore on-farm solutions. Maria focused on managing the undesirable behaviors of jumping and burrowing For Peter James, moving heavy things around, exhibited by her goats. She purchased including big harvests from the garden, is and compared four different containment a struggle. He studied the feasibility methods — collars and tethers, moveable pens, two hot wires and four hot wires.

The research helped the Rolands to sharpen their record-keeping skills as they tested, tracked and recorded observations and Both mini grant recipients agreed that their results of different scenarios employed. friends would be interested in applying next year for this mini-grant opportunity. “The collars worked great but added labor because I had to move the place of tethering The Roland kids took photos along the way that periodically,” says Maria Roland of they are eager to share with others. They will Storm Lake. “The method I determined was showcase what they learned at the PFI Annual best was a fence with four electric wires.” Conference. Look for their poster presentations among the other posters of Youth Mini Grant Peter James bought dog training materials recipients in the second floor lobby of the and a dog cart with his mini grant. “I found Scheman Building, Ames, IA, January 13–14. the dog to be useful all over the farm but was more difficult to train around new people Their research was funded by proceeds from last and places like at farmers’ market.” year’s silent auction, held at the annual conference. 22 the Practical Farmer Member Contributions PFI members’ fungicide debate highlights need for openness and understanding by Patrick Burke

Back in the beginning of August, many PFI members noticed fungicides being sprayed on fields all across the state. On the PFI General email discussion group, member Jerry Depew wondered why “the only debate seems to be whether it is profitable” to spray fungicide, rather than whether there are adverse environmental impacts.

Many members chimed in, including Jack Knight, who said, “Some of the fungicides have no field re-entry time,” meaning that it is deemed safe to re-enter a field right away. Jack told of his experience being sprayed with fungicide from a highboy while detasseling corn. When he complained, he was told he had no basis to pursue the complaint because it was supposed to be safe to re-enter the field immediately. But, as Annie Grieshop relationship with neighboring farmers can go Seed dealers he says, “always tout the corn pointed out, “no re-entry time” does not a long way toward solving pesticide issues.” hybrids that have the most response to fungicide necessarily mean “safe for skin contact.” application,” even though “that means the Addressing the problem of spray drift, Grieshop hybrid must be more susceptible to disease There was much discussion about the toxicity says, “Drift is much more common than we than other hybrids.” Dan Specht suspects this to humans of fungicides in general, but no realize.” But it’s a touchy subject for farmers may be caused by the use of the herbicide one seemed to have a clear idea how safe or who depend on the quick and easy application glyphosate, which, research indicates, increases dangerous they might be as a class. At least one of these chemicals. They may take complaints disease susceptibility in both corn and soybeans. fungicide, vinclozolin (now off the market), about spray drift as attacks on their way of life. “Everything I have observed in the field the past is a known endocrine disrupter, causing DNA Loyd Johnson says that his soil tested positive for two years seems to prove this out,” Specht adds. changes in rats that persist for four generations. residue from spray drift last year. “For reporting As a general rule, many urged caution with this, we were vilified by the two farmers, One common thread of the discussion was agricultural chemicals, because sometimes verbally assaulted... with a lawsuit mentioned!” the desire for both sides to understand one health effects are not well understood until Despite the threat, he says that he recently another. “It would be nice if we could all talk a product is already on the market. experienced spray drift again and has reported it. this sort of thing out on a grand scale, with candor and honesty, much as we are able When the topic turned to avoiding exposure Wade Dooley, a self-described “conventional” to do within PFI,” says Dooley. For that to to fungicides while in the field, the consensus farmer and PFI member, says, “Confronting happen, says Annie Grieshop, “We need to opinion was that while you may be able to farmers is a delicate matter, because they are get the corporate interests out of the way. avoid a highboy sprayer, aerial applicators now so used to being attacked and blamed, they Then we could have fruitful conversations and are a different matter. “You cannot get out of just go defensive and stop listening.” While work toward mutually beneficial change.” the way once that plane starts its run,” says some people think conventional farmers must Annie Grieshop, who previously worked for a believe chemicals are benign, Dooley disagrees, Interested in participating in lively discussions crop-dusting company. If you’ve been sprayed, “Most farmers know that a chemical that kills like this one? PFI offers five email discussion she recommends getting the number off the things probably isn’t good for humans!” However, lists for members: General, Grazing, plane’s tail, looking it up on the FAA website he adds that they’ll still use it if it makes Horticulture, Policy and Poultry. Just email (http://registry.faa.gov) and calling both the things “easier, better, more profitable, etc.” [email protected] and let me FAA and the company that owns the plane. know which ones you’d like to join. “Making noise will get results,” she says, but But is all the fungicide really necessary? adds, “striving for a cordial and constant Dooley says he has noticed seed and chemical companies pushing fungicide in recent years. www.practicalfarmers.org 23 PFI News

Mother, daughter duo represents speak at a USDA The event was hosted by the Farmer Iowa agriculture in Washington hearing on the farm Veteran Coalition, a national project out PFI members bill and childhood of Davis, CA, that connects veterans with Linda Barnes and obesity. Her agriculture, and was sponsored by PFI member her daughter Claire testimony was also Maury Johnson, Blue River Hybrids, Kelley. Runquist, High featured as part of Participating veterans toured livestock, Hopes Gardens, an HBO special. She grain and vegetable farms, listened to traveled to was later named a presentations, and gained plenty of insights Washington D.C. Champion of Change from generous and seasoned farmers. this year to work for establishing Other PFI members who presented: alongside politicians the Sustainable • Barney Bahrenfuse and Suzanne and influence and Entrepreneurial Agriculture Program at Costello, B&B Farms, Grinnell agriculture policy. Marshalltown Community College, a two-year Jeff Hafner, Panora associates degree program and the first of • Andy Dunham, Grinnell This summer Claire was named Wallace-Carver its kind in the Midwest. She made a second • Heritage Farm, Grinnell Intern by Secretary Vilsack and as such had the trip to D.C. to received the honor. On this Maury Wills, Wills Family Orchard, Adel opportunity to intern at any USDA location in trip, she met with President Obama. • the country. Claire chose to work in D.C. on Linda is married to PFI member Mark Runquist. policy issues at the USDA Office of Advocacy and Scattergood Farm in the news Claire is their oldest daughter. Outreach. She spent eight weeks in D.C. analyzing Check out the Fall 2011

agricultural and economic policy; assisting in issue of “Catalyst,” the management of food, nutrition and rural PFI members support Veterans a publication of New development programs; and taking part in ground- Coming Home To Farm Pioneer Food breaking field and laboratory-based research. Several PFI members participated in Co-op, Iowa City. PFI Veterans Coming Home to Farm, a two- member Scattergood Mom Linda Barnes spent time in D.C. recently and-a-half-day retreat on sustainable Farm is featured on pages as well. Linda, Marshalltown Community College and organic farming, held in July. 17–19. Visit: http:// professor and farmer, traveled to Washington to newpi.coop.dnnmax. com/Newsletter/ PFI announces new fall Faminar lineup CatalystNewsletters.aspx The harvest is done, and it’s time to tune into PFI’s informative lineup of fall Farminars being held Tuesday nights from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in November, December, January and February. Check out the new lineup below. To participate, go to www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar.

Date Enterprise Topic Experienced Speaker Beginner Category 1-Nov All Financing options to purchase a Andy Hunziker, Farm Jason Jones and Erin Financial farm or start your business Service Agency Drinnin, Wilted Leaf Farm 8-Nov All Working with restaurants and wholesalers: Phil Danowsky, Local Kathy and Adam Hohl, Marketing what needs to be done by farmers to Harvest Supply Hohl’s Pumpkin Patch sell more through these outlets? 15-Nov All How to use Facebook, Twitter Thomas Burkhead, Juan Lorna Wilson, Seven Marketing to increase farm sales O’Sullivan’s Gourmet Salsa Wilsons Farm 22-Nov Grazing How to transition continuously grazed Karl Dallefeld, Prairie Eric Madsen, Audubon Production pastures or cropland to grazing: Creek Seed County Farms selecting forage mixes for success 29-Nov Grazing The marketing of grass-fed meat Mary and Tom Cory, The Dave Schmidt, Rock Marketing Cory’s at Prairie Hill Valley Livestock Co. 13-Dec Horticulture Low capital season extension Rob Faux, Genuine Faux Farm Ellen Walsh-Rosmann, Production Rosmann Family Farms 20-Dec Horticulture Setting up a system of record keeping to Linda Halley, Gardens Julie Wilber, Wilber’s Financial develop farm-level enterprise budgets of Eagan Northside Market for annual vegetable/fruit crops 27-Dec Horticulture High tunnel production methods, strategy, Adam Montri, Mighigan Ann Franzenburg, Production planning and pest management State University Department Pheasant Run Farm of Horticulture

24 the Practical Farmer Planned Giving

Charter member of PFI’s Legacy Society talks about her gift to PFI

“It is with great pride and tenderness that I announce that longtime PFI member Helen DeElda Gunderson has become a charter member of the PFI Legacy Society,” says PFI Executive Director Teresa Opheim. “Helen has included in her will a gift to PFI of Pocahontas County farmland. In the following comments, Helen talks about her land ethic, the responsibility of being a farmland owner and why she is choosing PFI for her generosity.”

Helen explains, “When I was studying for my Master of Divinity degree, I was surprised to discover that many of the Biblical messages were about land. There was even a term we learned, “latifundialization.” It meant the displacement of people off the land and the land being taken over by the king to grow grapes and olive oil to trade for armaments.

“There was also the Hebraic concept that land was not supposed to be controlled in Helen Gunderson joins PFI’s Legacy Society, willing a gift of Pocahontas County farmland. perpetuity by the same family, that there was to be a Year of Jubilee. Fortunately, one give land to PFI. In that way, I help a vital and “Being a good steward of my farmland of my two Old Testament professors, Marv ethical organization continue its work, and I is an ethical, spiritual thing to do. PFI Chaney, had grown up on a farm in Kansas help keep sustainable farmers on the land. is the only organization I know that is and would eventually inherit land. So we had dealing specifically with agriculture The harvest is done, and it’s time to tune into PFI’s informative lineup of fall Farminars being held Tuesday nights from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in some good conversations about finding the “I would not have the lifestyle to which I that is consistent with my ethics.” November, December, January and February. Check out the new lineup below. To participate, go to www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar. balance between appreciating our inheritance have become accustomed if I did not have and yet seeking ways to be ethical. land that someone else gave to me. On the other hand, I do not want to continue a “I want to put some projects in place before family dynasty of land ownership. As I write I die and make sure my will reflects some of that, I know the notion goes against all the my values. Already, I have put about 35 acres family acculturation that I have been exposed of my land into CRP, using a diverse mix of to. I do think of many PFI folk as being sort prairie seed from Carl Kurtz. And I am renting of like family. However, I am also not so a third of my land to PFI member Betsy Dahl, naive as to think that I can control what who is transitioning it to organic production. happens in 20 or 50 years from now with the This year, I am giving some permanent country, the PFI organization or my land. pasture and CRP land and adjacent crop acres But I can act with good intention, detach to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. from the outcome and trust the process. And I am giving land to PFI in my will. “I’ve learned a lot about managing my “There is much latifundialization at work land from PFI members. Mark Tjelmeland, today. Because of gift laws and inheritance Vic Madsen and Margaret Smith taught me DeElda Lighter Gunderson — The taxes required of beneficiaries who are not about rental rates and more sustainable farmland Helen has designated for related to the deceased, and with today’s high practices. Tom Wahl taught me a lot about PFI in her will was given to her by her land prices, it would be difficult for me to keep grafting apples. Rick Exner spelled out grandmother, DeElda, pictured above. land in the hands of people who will farm it the pros and cons of GMO seed to me. sustainably. So the next best thing I can do is

www.practicalfarmers.org 25 New Members & PFI Calendar

Nov | Dec | Jan

November 1 | Financing Options for agriculture. More than a thousand people Beginning Farmers | Farminar | 7 p.m. from around the world gather together to Visit: www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar tap the knowledge of some of agricultures brightest minds! Visit: http://www. November 7 | Wholesale Marketing acresusa.com/events/events.htm Through Distributors | Farminar | 7 p.m. Welcome, new members December 9–10 | Fearless Farm Visit: www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar District 1 — Northwest Finances Training | La Crosse, WI Amy Crouch, Remsen November 11 | Can fish grow Join MOSES for a two-day training to help Theodore Franklin, Blencoe you work with the financial information Jerry Sindt, Holstein lettuce—profitably? | Panora, IA Tour a startup aquaponics facility and learn that matters on your farm. To register, District 2 — North Central how to raise vegetables and fish together! visit: http://www.nexternal.com/shared/ Lori Asberry, Ankeny StoreFront/default.asp?CS=moses&StoreTyp Robert and Donna Atha, Marshalltown November 15 | How to Use Andrea Basche, Ames e=BtoC&Count1=585186183&Count2=50232 Deborah and Kenneth Blackledge, Nevada Facebook to Increase Your Farm’s 6607&ProductID=136&Target=products.asp Jean Goodwin, Ames Sales | Farminar | 7 p.m. Jeremy and Kelly Gustafson, Boone Visit: www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar December 13 | Inexpensive, Gregory Jones, Webster City Effective Season Extension | Jay Jung, Colwell November 17 | Photovoltaics PV101 Farminar | 7 p.m. Visit: www. Dean Lewis, Ames Hiawatha, IA Susan Posch, Boone practicalfarmers.org/farminar This course will be held from 9 a.m.–4 Debra Sabin, Hampton Larry Sorensen, Nevada p.m., at the Prairiewoods Franciscan December 20 | Setting up a System Andrew Stephenson, Ames Spirituality Center. Price: $110 (or $90 of Record Keeping | Farminar | 7 p.m. Visit: www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar District 3 — Northeast for iRenew members). Register Online for the 8-hour course, which will teach the Joe Dunn, Waverly December 27 | Grow Better with basics of photovoltaic (PV) systems. Call Rick Juchems, Plainfield High Tunnels | Farminar | 7 p.m. Visit: Doug Little, Farmersburg 319.395.6700 for more information. Luke and Linsey Schuldt, Tripoli www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar Richard Sloan, Rowley November 22 | Pasture Seed Mixes January 12–13 | Soils 101 for Success | Farminar | 7 p.m. District 4 — Southwest ISU Agronomy Hall | Ames, IA

Visit: www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar alendar Jordan Clasen, Des Moines Practical Farmers of Iowa will be offering a Joshua Dolezal, Windsor Heights short course on soils before the official start of Scott Hicks, Lake City November 29 | The Marketing of C Carol Oliver, Lacona Grass-Fed Beef | Farminar | 7 p.m. the conference. The course will run Thursday, Brady Smith, Emerson Visit: www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar January 12, from 1 – 8 p.m. and continue Kent Stufflebeem, Chariton on Friday, January 13, from 8 – 11:30 a.m. Jerry Vos, Minburn December 8-9 | next Generation Linda Zintz, Centerville Retreat: Demystify Business January 13–14 | PFI 2011 Annual District 5 — Southeast Planning with Richard Wiswall | Conference | ISU Center, Scheman Harold Frakes, Brighton Y-Camp, Boone, IA Building, Suite 102 Kevin and Jessica Holst, Eldridge Richard Wiswall, Cate Farm, East Montpelier, Justin Reitsma, New Sharon This year PFI is cooking up a sustainable VT, author of “The Organic Farmer’s Business Justin Rodgers, Winfield blend of farming at the conference with Handbook: a Complete Guide to Managing Jordan Scheibel, Grinnell the theme, “Made from Scratch.” Keynote Finances, Crops, and Staff — and Making Dan and Sheila Smith, Bonaparte speaker Fedele Bauccio, CEO and co-founder Kraig Van Hulzen, Oskaloosa a Profit,” will help beginners build better Tom Whetstone, Wilton of Bon Appétit Management Company, which business plans. Contact Luke Gran, luke@ spends over $55 million annually on food practicalfarmers.org, 515.232.5661 District 6 — Out of State purchased from within a 150-mile radius of Tyler Albers, Minneapolis, MN each of its 400 locations. See pages x – x, for Anna Blumstein, Berkeley, CA December 8–10 | ACRES 2011 John Bruihler, Rushford, MN Conference | Columbus, Ohio more information. Bess Casey, Side Lake, MN The Acres U.S.A. Conference is one of Virginia Nichols, Canon City, CO the truly premier events worldwide for Deborah Ritt, Platteville, WI Susan Werner, Chicago, IL commercial-scale sustainable and organic Adam Wilke, Hutchinson, MN

26 the Practical Farmer Join PFI opportunity Grow your farm with PFI. Join today! This annual membership is a:opportunity My interest in joining PFI is primarily as a: research n new membership n farmer/grower n renewal research n non-farmer (You will have the opportunity opportunity to expand upon this when you receive your I am joining at the level of: friendship membership information form.) n Student—$15 research friendshipn Individual—$35 stewardship answers n Farm or Household—$45 friendship n Organization (includinganswers businesses, agencies, not-for-profit groups)—$75 stewardship Each membership includes one subscription to the Practical Farmer.

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