the ()Practical Farmer

Annual Conference Jan. 14 & 15 ...... I Pg. 4

Profile: Linda Barnes & Mark Rundquist ..... I Pg. 6

Pickles ...... I Pg. 15 On-farm Research: Triticale ...... I Pg. 18 Reflections: Organic Grains and Pulses ...... I Pg. 24 '"' Contents ~~ •:.!:. -

From the Director ...... 3 Focus on Food: Pickles ...... 15-16

Annual Conference ...... 4 Calendar ...... -...... 17

Policy Update ...... 5 On-farm Research: Triticale ...... 18-20

Profile: Linda Barnes and Mark Rundquist ...... 6 Member Perspectives: What Is Sustainable Ag? ... 21

PFI Camp ...... 10-11 Resources ...... 22-23

Field Day Report ...... 12 Reflections ...... 24-25

PFI News ...... 13 PFI Merchandise ...... 26

Member News ...... 14 Join PFI ...... 27

Cover photo by Helen Gunderson: Harvest at Vic Madsen's

PFI Board of Directors Tom Wahl, 13882 1 Ave., Wapello, lA 52653-9449. Communications Specialist (3 19) 729-5905. redfernfar [email protected] Todd Kimm ( 108), [email protected] Correspo11de11ce to tire PFI directors' addresses is always welcome. Advisory Board Youth Program Coordinator Brad Meyer (109), [email protected] District I (Northwest): Ken Wise, 3566 280th St., Dick Thompson, 2035 !9oth St., Boone, lA Lytton, lA 50561-7574. {7 12) 466-2473. 50036-7423. (S IS) 432-1560. Program Assistant Leo Benjamin, 17636 Birch Ave., Whiting, !A Larry Kallem, 12303 N.W. !58th Ave., Madrid !A, Bill Martin ( 1OS), [email protected] 51063. (712) 458-2001. 50156.515-795-2303. The Practical Farmer is published three times a District 2 (North Central): Mark Tjelmeland, PFI Staff year by Practical Farmers of Iowa at 300 Main St., PFI Vice President, 1246 1 650th Ave., For general information and staff connections, Box 349, Ames, Iowa 50010; 515-232-5661. A free McCallsburg, lA 50 154-8026. (S IS) 434-2440. call (SIS) 232-5661; individual extensions are subscription is provided with each PFI member­ [email protected] listed in parenthesis after each name. ship (see page 27). Sample copies and back issues Nina Biensen, 2454 Binfo rd Ave., State Center, !A are available. 50247. (641) 483-2292. Director [email protected] Robert Ka rp ( 102), [email protected] Newsletter Editor: Todd Kimm Additional Design: Mary Sailer District 3 (Northeast): Walt Ebert, 1273 12oth Food Systems Original Template: M ichael Nash St., Plainfield, !A 50666-9647. (319) 276-4444. Gary Huber ( l 03), [email protected] [email protected] Eric Franzenburg, 6925 19th Ave., Van Horne, lA Rick Hartmann (104), 52346. (319) 228-8758. [email protected] Tire Practical Farmer and the PFI on-farm demonstrations are supported, in part, by Iowa [email protected] Far ming Systems Rick Exner, (5 15) 294-5486, State University Cooperative Extension and the District 4 (Southwest): Angela Tedesco, 10743 Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. NW l42nd St., Granger, !A 50109. [email protected], Room l. l 04, Agronomy (SIS) 278-4522. [email protected] Hall, ISU, Am es, Iowa, 50011 Yerian Va n Wyk. 15844 S. 88th Ave. E, Searsboro, !A 50242. (641) 527-2927. Fred lutzi, (S IS) 294-8512, [email protected] District 5 (Southeast): Susan Zacharakis-jutz, Membership Services and Office Manager PFI President, 5025 12oth St. NE, Solon, lA Sandra Trca-Biack ( 10 l ), 52333-9 155. (3 19) 624-3052. [email protected] [email protected]

2 ~ ~;- .

r:~:,. From the Director

Who Shall We Serve?

By Robert Karp

t a recent PFI board retreat, a remarkable stream of into a more musical way of farming, whether the farm is poetry began to pour forth from the mouth of one small, mid-sized or large, whether it is raising corn and soy­ A of our farmer directors, something I've gotten used beans, hogs and cattle, or fruits and vegetables. PFI farmers to over the years. tend to take the givens of their farms, their talents and their He was talking about his farm, of course, and the idea finances, and use their creativity to make music that is in that each aspect of his operation is like a musical note; every harmony with nature, local communities and human needs. little chore, he said, strikes a certain tone. Running a good We also agreed that to farm this way requires that farm­ farm operation, therefore, involves bringing these notes into ing be a full-time occupation for at least one family mem­ harmony, or seeing the harmony that wants to arise from ber. PFI then, needs to especially serve those farmers them and being able to improvise amidst the ever changing described above who are trying to make a primary living conditions of weather, markets and the moods and talents from farming. We need to be about learning and doing ev­ of each farmer and his or her helpers. erything we can to make it possible for this type of farming Ah the poetry of common sense! to become a real source of livelihood. Without this, no one These comments arose in the context of a discussion with will have the time to farm musically, and before long, no staff and some PFI past presidents about whom we see as the one will even remember how. core farmer constituency of PFI, or in other words, who are While the board felt that in many respects it was our mid­ the main farmers PFI is trying to serve? sized farmer members who had retained both crops and live­ Are we mainly about helping large, conventional farms stock-who in some ways best fit all three of the above become more sustainable? Are we mainly about helping mid­ described characteristics, and who were most in need of our sized farmers succeed, particularly those who are already support-they acknowledged that this was by no means uni­ committed to sustainable agriculture? Or are we about help­ versally the case. ing the small CSA farmers, the urban fringe farmers, or the They also acknowledged that the entrepreneurial spirit "gardeners" as some members have been known to refer to of our "gardener" farmers, and the connections they have been their fruit and vegetable-growing brothers and sisters. able to forge with the consumer, have played an essential role The conversation that emerged from this topic was not in the vitality of the organization and in helping all our mem­ only poetic, but also, I found, very deep. It was very deep in bers see the importance of connecting directly with consum­ the sense that board members and past presidents were clearly ers and in learning how to market their products effectively. uncomfortable with answering this question easily with ab­ Finally, there was a lot of discussion on the tremendous stract terms that tend to divide rather than unite, terms like importance of both young people and consumers to the mid-sized, small, traditional, conventional or organic. future of the organization and the future of sustainable Instead, what emerged was a very musical way of think­ agriculture. Without involving and working more diligently ing about the farmers and types of farming PFI wants to be with young people and consumers, our work on behalf of most involved in serving. Without wanting to be rigid, current farmers will simply not be successful. everyone nonetheless came to agree on several things. Thus, in the end, what emerged from this meeting was a First, we agreed that PFI farmers are often characterized perspective on the future of PFI that truly reflects the type by their unique view of the world, a perspective on life of musical farming our members are practicing on their characterized by cooperation rather than competition, by farms. From this perspective, the talents and gifts and focus stewardship of creation rather than personal gain and purely of every member of PFI strikes a particular tone, a particu­ human ambitions. lar note, and if we do our work well, we will bring those notes This way of looking at the world, then, often translates into harmony, in the service of our goal of seeing sustain­ able agriculture thrive and prosper in Iowa. So!~! 3 Annual Conference ·=.·:·~~ ,..

Reflections on our Past, Visions for our Future Annual Conference and 20th Anniversary Celebration Jan. 14 & 15 he PFI Annual Conference and mental returns. 20th Anniversary Celebration And don't miss the Friday night Exciting workshops! is set for Jan. 14 and 15 at the 20th Anniversary Celebration. Activi­ T Here's a sampling of Friday and Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines. ties will include: Saturday workshop and networking Our theme will be "Reflections on •!• Reception with cash bar session topics: our Past, Visions for our Future: •!• Light supper Twenty Years of Sustainable Agricul­ •!• Soybean Aphids •!• Reminiscences from the history ture in Iowa." Crop Rotations: Production and ofPFI ·:· Stewart N. Smith and Woody Marketing Issues •!• Showing of Cynthia Vagnetti's Tasch will address the theme Satur­ Reducing Livestock Stress new documentary "Voices of ·:· day in a co-keynote program. Direct and Grass-based Meat Iowa Farm Women'' ·:· Smith, former Maine Commis­ Marketing Seminar •!• Music and dancing sioner of Agriculture and an ag. Getting Started with Commu- •!• Displays with PFI historical ·:· economist, is well known for his work nity Supported Agriculture documents, photos and in sustainable agriculture. Corn Breeding for Alternative timeline. ·:· Tasch is chairman and CEO of Systems Investors' Circle, a national network Watch for full details and regis­ ·:· Herd Health in Alternative of angel and institutional investors, tration materials in the annual con­ Pork Systems foundation officers and entrepreneurs ference flyer, which should arrive in ·:· Fostering Bio-Diversity seeking financial, social and environ- your mailbox in a few weeks! on the Farm •!• Networking Session: PFI Youth Denise O'Brien to receive and Students •!• Conservation Security Program Sustainable Ag Achievement Award •!• Integrating Crops and Livestock The recipient of PFI's 2005 Sus­ Harris have been farming organically ·:· Networking Session: How can tainable Agriculture Achievement since 1976. Denise directed Rural PFI Better Serve Mid-sized Farms? Award is Denise O'Brien of Atlantic. Women's Leadership Development •!• Survival Strategies for Mid- Denise founded Women, Food and Project of Prairie Fire Rural Action, Sized Farms Agriculture Network (WFAN) in Inc. and was president of the National ·:· Buy Fresh, Buy Local 1997, with the goal of building an Family Farm Coalition. ·:· Edible Landscapes intergenerational network and sense WFAN has done an in-depth •!• Networking Session: How Can of community among rural women. study of the women landowners in PFI Foster Neighboring and Denise is coordinator of the group Cass County (her home country) and Community with members from over 25 states and started an internship program to several other countries. place women interested in agriculture Wanted: PFI member to help organize Denise and her husband Larry on farms with women operators. 20th anniversary activities and develop historical displays. Honorarium available. Reserve your hotel room now! Contact Robert Karp, 515-232-5661 ext. Reserve your room at the conference hotel for only $69 a night! 102, [email protected] by The Airport Holiday Inn is offering this reduced rate until Dec. 20. Call Oct. 30. 1-800-248-4013.

4 ~ . ·?: Policy Update ' ·~

First Signup Completed for CSP

By Teresa Opheim, regional coordinator, MSAWG

armers from n orthern and of the nation's farmers were given the tration's insertion into the CSP of a southwest Iowa are now among opportunity to participate in 2004, per acre payment cap not found in the Fthe first in the nation to be ac­ and virtually all of the best conserva­ law that severely limits the program's cepted into the new Conservation Se­ tion farmers in the country are still benefit to small and medium-sized curity Program (CSP). Results of the waiting for their first chance to enroll. farms, discouraging their participa­ first CSP sign up, which was available Nationwide, more than 2,200 tion and environmental contribution in Iowa only to farmers in the water­ farmers from 18 areas or "watersheds" and tilting program benefits to larger sheds of East Nishnabotna (southwest have enrolled in the CSP this round, farms in general and those with high Iowa) and Blue Earth (Minnesota­ representing 1.9 million acres. Farm, rental rates in particular. Iowa border), were announced Aug. 27. environmental and a variety of other The 2002 Farm Bill required the Denise O'Brien and Larry Harris, groups have been vocal in their de­ program to be implemented nation­ PFI members from Atlantic, were nouncement of how the USDA is cut­ wide by February 2003, but a long among those who qualified to partici­ ting back this innovative program. series of delays by the Bush Adminis­ pate in this new voluntary farm pro­ Family farmers are particularly tration kept the program under wraps gram that will help farmers protect concerned with the Bush Adminis- until this summer. s.\!! farmland and provide clean water and wildlife habitat. "This program begins the pro­ Grant will help gather feedback cess of rewarding farmers for good stewardship," O'Brien said. "For the The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture has awarded Practical Farmers of first time in our 29 years of farm­ Iowa a $21,755 grant to get farmer feedback on the first round of the Conservation ing, it looks like a farm program will Security Program (CSP). PFI will be working with the Midwest Sustainable Agricul­ work for us. We're stewardship ture Working Group (MSAWG) to get farmers' answers to questions such as: minded. We rotate our crops, we • Is the program-as implemented-still rewarding conservation farmers? plant trees, we use integrated pest • Will it encourage them to do more conservation? management, we use organic prac­ • Are the payment rates adequate? tices. In the past, our farming prac­ • Are the practices for which payments granted the right ones? tices prevented us from qualifying for other farm programs." The information gathered will identify the potential opportunities and barriers "We're happy to have been cho­ with CSP implementation and provide policy makers with the information they need sen, but we along with others are un­ to make sound decisions about the program. happy about how the USDA ignored PFI and MSAWG will interview farmers in the watersheds chosen for CSP. In the law and restricted access to the addition, PFI and MSAWG will interview members of the PFI Farmer Advisory Com­ Conservation Security Program," she mittee on CSP. A report will be prepared presenting the farmers' comments, con­ continued. "This program should clusions and recommendations for improving CSP implementation. have been open to all farmers in the A group of the conservation farmers, including several PFI members, also will United States." present the reports and comments to NRCS staff in Washington, likely in March 2005. Less than a quarter of 1 percent

5 Member Profile -:\ -._~1 Livin' Large on a Small Farm

By Todd Kimm

Linda Barnes and Mark Rundquist's farm near Melbourne might not make them a living, but it does make them a life

Linda Barnes, Mark Rundquist, their ch ildren (Emma, 9; Martin, 3; Claire, 11) and family dogs April and Frankie.

inda Barnes and Mark Rundquist are some of the most practi­ practical." cal farmers you'll ever meet. While their seven-acre operation This will be the last year, for example, L near Melbourne doesn't make t hem a living (they both have they will sell strawberries at the Marshalltown off-farm jobs), it does make them a life. Linda and Mark's pragmatic ap­ farmers market-too hard on the back. "But proach is a shining example of farming where even the small est one person's pleasure is another person's resource is integrated into a diversified system, where an array of practices, pain," Linda allows, as careful as ever to keep crops and animals feeds the body and soul of a vital, happy family of five. every possibility in play. "It really depends on It's true, when Linda and Mark first purchased the rundown acreage, who you are. That's why we try everything." house and outbuildings in 1996, their heads were a little closer to the sky. (At this point, "everything" includes They were fresh off a chunk of book learning at Iowa State University­ organic fruits and vegetables, cut flowers, Linda with a PhD in molecular biology and Mark with a masters in business 200 pasture-raised broilers, 30 free-range and technical communications. laying hens, 15 turkeys and six lambs.) "We were really enamored with the idea of having a farm;' Linda recalls. They will also be concentrating more on At first, they wanted to try everything-and they did. While the diver­ perennial crops for the farmers market. sity of their current operation reflects that early enthusiasm, Linda says, "People get fussy about how much they're "We now think about how something works with our own lifestyle. So we're going to pay for green beans," Linda explains, getting older and better at guarding our time and trying to make sure what "but if you put peaches in front of them, they we do works not just in our heads but in reality. We're not so blinded by the go nuts." beauty of the farm as thinking about what works for us. We're getting more

6 -~ l Member Profile ~t-

The search for good food One of Linda and Mark's main motiva­ tions over the years has been pretty pragmatic as well: the search for fresh, good-tasting and healthy food. When they moved to Iowa from the wilds of Minnesota in 1988 to attend grad school, they fully expected to find a place teeming with fresh fruits and vegetables. "I was really floored," Linda recalls, "be­ cause my family homesteaded near Ankeny and whenever we came to visit the farm in Iowa, my grandma always had great gardens and tomatoes-and I expected that" "There were very few farmers markets­ or the ones they had weren't very good;' Mark says. "In grocery stories, it was the same fruits and vegetables we had in Minnesota." "And keep in mind;' Linda adds, "we went to school in Duluth where you can't grow a tomato-the season's too short." "The other thing is the meetings," Linda Claire harvests some So the couple took matters into their says. "It's marvelous to be able to get to­ late-ripening raspberries. own hands and dug up the yard of their Ames gether with likeminded people. You're not A nearby mull berry tree rental property to plant a garden. Then they isolated. I think we all get too isolated and keeps the birds busy and dug up part of their neighbor's yard; and when you do that you can kind of get spin­ away from the raspberries. some other neighbors had a garden they ning in a circle. The meeting last winter was weren't using; and then they knew some wonderful. If nothing else I walked away people out in the country.. . with a better way to wash my eggs. I love "We had four gardens at once," Linda stealing ideas. I love farm tours. I like taking laughs. "We were out of control. We were can­ people's ideas and applying them. Then we ning and freezing, contacting Extension for all do better." advice, and pleased to look at our shelves and see all the canned goods. That felt good." Living as they did within the city limits of Concern for the environment Ames, growing their own meat was more of a Concern for the environment has been challenge, though. Their interest in finding a another driving force for Linda and Mark. place in the country eventually led them to the After growing up in the relative wilderness Practical Farmers of Iowa annual conference of Northern Minnesota, Mark saw his move where they discovered Dick Thompson and his to Iowa bring about a shift in his approach organic beef. They've been members ever since. to environmental advocacy. "The thing I admire most about PFI are "Iowa was drastically different," he recalls. the farmers that take risks with their liveli­ "I missed the lakes and the trees. But we real­ hood:' Mark says. "These farmers are out there ized it's not the wildlands we need to spend and they are truly committed to finding a bet­ our time on; we need to spend our time on ter way, and they are putting their livelihood the land that's devoted to farming, in a state on the line and demonstrating it. I have the with the most altered landscape in the na­ utmost respect for those farmers. That's one tion, where most of that land is devoted to reason I want to support them and join." corn and beans. I decided I needed to make

7 Member Profile .:~-. _,.._ .. J

friends with this place." So Mark got leaky underground storage tanks at gas more. Linda says, "We want to become a summer job with the Story County stations. But his idealism took a hit more independent so Mark doesn't Conservation Board's roadside man­ when a change in how the program have to work off the farm." agement program, introducing native was implemented ended the position. To reach that place of indepen­ prairie to roadside ditches. With their first two children born, and dence, they hope to purchase more "We started to realize about the another on the way, Mark knew his land, possibly get into small cattle Dead Zone in the Gu lf and what her­ next step would be a practical one. breeds, develop their orchard and even bicides and pesticides have done," A grad school friend working for lease plots of ground to townsfolk Linda says. "And his work with the Wells Fargo bank in Des Moines in­ with dreams of expanding their gar­ prairie made us think about what was vited him to apply. Mark's been with dening or getting into things like here now and trying to improve the the company 12 years now working grape growing (the latter, Mark ecology of this place." as a technical writer. dreams, might even include classes). Upon graduating from Iowa State, An independent schedule keeps lets If you throw in the food the farm Mark got a job with an environmental him spend more time with the kids and provides, Linda and Mark estimate consultant, inventorying contami­ on the farm. Despite the nice arrange­ their operation contributes about 15 nated soil and groundwater around ment, Mark's goal is to be home even (continued on pg 20)

A farm where everything A few more tips works together Here are some other ways Linda, Mark and the kids artfully combine resources on their farm : Eleven-year-old Claire is in the seventh • Don, a neighbor who farms the surrounding grade and one of the farm's biggest am­ land, plows their snow in exchange for pasture­ bassadors. She writes class papers on her raised chicken and computer help from Mark. Don family's operation and shares with class­ also supplies com for the family's com-burning mates and teachers about what life's like stove in exchange for storage space for his farm on a sustainable farm. She even convinced machinery ("Even our heat is locally grown/' Mark her school to add her family's farm to the says. Last winter they spent just $60 on propane list of conventional ones students visit Little Jane keeps the chickens for additional heating). each year. Here's a sample from one of safe from predators. • The fruit bushes that ring the property pro­ Claire's recent papers where she explains vide food and shelter for wildlife (they work her family's application of the integrated systems approach in language a sev­ better than bird feeders because the cats aren't enth grader could understand: able to get at the birds) and provide a buffer "Some of the ways we get the most out of our animals, gardens and land is against spraying. by using them for more than one thing. The laying hens are used for eggs and • A mulberry tree keeps the birds out of the then when they're older they become meat for chicken noodle soup. We use raspberry patch. "Nobody gets hurt and our sheep not only for meat but their hide for selling and personal use. [They everyone's happy/' Linda says. also keep the grass down between the outbuildings.] My family rotates the • They were having erosion problems with lots crops to keep our soil rich and strong. We feed our food scraps to the chickens of rain coming off the barn but turned the prob­ (excluding meat), compost it or feed meat to the dogs and cats. We have our lem to their advantage by catching the rain in a cats not only for pets but as rodent control. Our dogs are to help protect our tank and using it to water their fruit trees and gar­ farm and as pets. We have the geese to guard our chickens from predators* but den. The chickens are watered automatically by they also give us goose eggs every spring." a similar system worthy of Rube Goldberg. * "Mink were gett1ng into the chicken house killing one chicken every other day; • True to his Northern Minnesota Finnish heri­ Linda remembers. "It was like a lottery. Somebody told us to get a goose and tage, Mark plans to re-use the tongue-and-groove we haven't had a predator problem since. It's marvelous predator control with­ boards sa lvaged from the demolition of an old out killing the predator. Because the truth is you could probably use the mink to get rid of rats and other things. We have this philosophy: We'll tithe 10 percent house on the property for a wood-fired sauna. to nature and then we'll take action." 8 < Member Profile ~-. f~'

Lessons in Practical Farming The Marshalltown Community College Sustainable Ag program

inda Barnes' inspiration for a Linda and Claire two-year sustainable ag degree in the barn space L program at Marshalltown they use as a Community College had some very staging area for practical sources. Linda half-jokingly farmers market recalls her dreams of fresh vegetables for the college cafeteria being one strong impetus. A more serious inspi­ ration, though, was the deep need she saw for such a program in Iowa. "An undergraduate degree pro­ gram in sustainable ag was a niche that hadn't been filled," she says. "I think there's a lot of people who want to try something different, but they need some practical experience and they need to be together. Plus, the things like this and ask, 'How do we quality of food and the quality of life "I think there's a lot of get this going?'" Linda says. "I think it in Iowa is really one of the missions will grow." She's already fielded calls of community colleges, because we people who want to try from people at colleges in Wisconsin retain so many students in the state something different, but and Fairfield seeking advice on how after they graduate." to get their own programs going. Linda lists off the backgrounds of they need some practical All in all, it's a host of supportive some of the students enrolled in the experience ... " colleagues (including a dean and col­ program's pilot semester: lege president) and the goal of pro­ • The farmers market manager -linda Barnes viding a practical and positive from Tama. "She's been coming to the learning experience that keeps Linda college for about a year and when this have those threads running through­ going. She says, "I want them to think came up she was so excited." out every course," Linda explains. Sub­ about how they can make a positive • Two 18-year-old kids who want sequent courses include Ecological influence rather than just walking to raise organic beef. Concepts, Horticultural Crops, Live­ away thinking, 'This isn't good, but I • A 40-year-old guy who wants to stock Management, Sustainable Pest don't have an alternative."' do something different with his farm Management, Organic Crop Produc­ Another benefit of the program but doesn't know what. tion, and Property Ownership and Fi­ will be the public awareness it will "It's all good," she says. "I've got nancing. help build. "It's so beautiful," Linda this really eclectic group of people. I'm The program's board of advisors says. "You just have one of these so excited to get them together." includes PFI board vice president meals and everybody wants a The program is kicking off this Mark Tjelmeland, as well as other PPI chicken, everybody wants a tomato fall with an Introduction to Sustain­ members like Shellie Orngard, Carol that tastes like a tomato. People are able Agriculture class. The textbook, Smith, Margaret Smith and Rich re-learning what good food is. The Next Green Revolution, covers the Pirog. The Leopold Center provided a People really want a face on their eight essential steps of sustainable ag. $25,000 challenge grant. food that they can respect, that they "We'll focus on those first so we can "People are starting to look at can relate to."~

9 '' Program Hews .--~- €.!.. You are PFI Camp 2004 What You Eat

By Brad Meyer

mm, that smells good! The you Eat," and that is exactly what we There were many opportunities lOth annual2004 PFI Camp did-eat, that is, as well as learning to wear off some of that eating by M held June 10-13 was a huge about new ways of preparing food and playing different games and taking success, held in the Des Moines River the benefits of eating locally. Kim advantage of the climbing tower, the valley at the Iowa 4-H Center near McDermott, a nutritionist and excel­ famous creek walk, and canoeing. Madrid, Iowa. lent cook, came to work with all 33 We also had some nature hikes Fund-raising went well this year youth over a couple of nights. Together where we talked about our similari­ by increasing the silent auction in­ we all made and ate several dishes, ties with animals in preparation, stor­ come in January and by getting a including pizza and salads. ing and eating of food and looked at Cennex Foundation Grant for $3,500. Kim, who hails from the area, used basic plant names. Most campers left We had a little over $1,000 donated vegetables from the local farmers mar­ with flowering dogwood sketched into through the camp brochures mailed ket and CSA, as well as some of the 20- their brains as the leaf that you can out with a letter written by Jessi Th­ dozen eggs that were donated from pull apart, and little stretchy fibers ompson. Alex Feldstein's farm. The camp chef hold it together as if by magic. The staff consisted of Frances also commented that he had never seen See, campers didn't just eat the Zacharakis-Jutz, Meryl Wise, Tori eggs so fresh and beautiful looking. whole time, they did a lot of playing Olsen and Kate Gilbert. In all, we This year we also tried something and learning-even if they didn't real­ hosted a total of 33 youth, with a 16/ a little different to add to our theme. ize they were doing the latter. Camp 17 counselor-to-camper ratio. Don First-year staffer Kate Gilbert, who wrapped up again this year with a Broshar did leadership training and has attended camp for three years, led family banquet held on the final day, Judy Levings taught some naturalist a three-hour interactive program on where we finished by having a buffet programs for the counselors. different healthy snacks that are great of good, healthy food. See everyone The theme was "You are What tasting and easy to prepare. next year! S!'l

10 -.: ·;·. Program News

Photos by Bryce Bauer

11 Program News :}·, -'

Field Days 2004

he 2004 PFI field day season wrapped up with a big weekend Sept. 18-19. Field days T at ZJ Farm near Solon; Rock Spring Farm near Spring Grove, Minn., and the Henry A. Wallace Center near Orient virtuaJly covered the countryside with PFI activity. Although the first and last field days had to be cancelled due to a wet spring in Northeast Iowa, the remaining 17 came off without a hitch. Highlights included big turnouts for the two Buy Fresh, Buy Local farm tours. The first, on June 12, celebrated the campaign's successes in North­ east Iowa with visits to Hansen's Farm Fresh Dairy near Hudson and Don and Ruth Beck's Parkland farm near Buckingham. The second event on Aug. 21 celebrated the expansion of the campaign to Central Iowa with tours of Angela Tedesco's Turtle Jill Burkhart leads a tour of Picket Fence Creamery at the Aug. 21 Farm near Granger and Picket Fence Creamery Buy Fresh, Buy Local field day near Woodward. near Woodward. Research field days included biological control ofsoybean aphids July21 near Decorah, weed man­ agement through crop rotation Aug. 16 near Ames and corn breeding for nutritional content Sept. 16 near South English on Grice Family Farms. A July 14 field day near Sigourney focusing on the Kuntz brothers' integration of pheasants, grapes and sweet corn drew a good crowd and lots of me­ dia attention. All in all, a great field day season! 9!

Transplanting is child's play. Laura Krouse called Dr. Pat Halbur (striped shirt, right), of the ISU Department on a couple of kids to help demonstrate her new of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal vegetable transplanter at her July 28 field day. Medicine, facilitated the Vets' Circle workshop before the Allee Farm field day. The veterinarians agreed to draft a herd health guide for alternative swine systems.

12 · .. ·~~ PFI News •O •

Summer board meeting notes Membership The summer meeting of the PFI As the needs of the organization renewals Board of Directors was held at the change so do our strategic plans for Iowa Arboretum on July 8. Important the future, so the board and staff were now monthly items of interest discussed at this to begin working on these plans in meeting included: looking at alterna­ August at the board/staff retreat. PFI's membership cycle has been tive ways to provide an income stream Plans for the annual conference an annual one with renewal notices for the organization, developing a were well underway and it looks like being sent in October or November. revised strategic plan, planning for the another great conference. Robert pro­ Our planned conversion to a new annual conference in January, and vided an update on current activities membership database will facilitate a board elections. and what still remains to be done. The monthly renewal system instead. So PFI executive director Robert conference will be held in Des Moines if a membership renewal letter doesn't Karp and the board agreed that alter­ again this year. Elections of officers appear in your mailbox this harvest native ways to generate income will will occur at the conference and season, don't despair! We haven't be important for the stability and nominations are being sought for all forgotten you! If you've grown accus­ continued growth of the organization. districts. tomed to renewing your membership A decision was made to hire Penny with your annual conference registra­ Brown Huber as a consultant to help Eric Franzenburg tion, feel free to do so again this the organization develop a plan to Board member winter. We'll be sure to credit your address these needs. District 3 record appropriately. If you have questions about your membership status, please contact Sandra Grant to fund Trca-Black, 515-232-5661 ext. 101, [email protected]. BFBL work

Practical Farmers of Iowa in The Farmer Funny Art by Kevin de Laplante partnership with the University of 5/WIF loves planting by the moonlight and long walks among the Northern Iowa-Center for Energy beans. All natural, weed friendly. Married to the farm spring to fall, and Environmental Education, has but seeking winter partner. Must love Wendell Berry and be willing to experiment with unusual vegetables. Fence mending skills a plus. received a USDA Risk Management No transgenics please. Agency grant to support the Buy Fresh, Buy Local campaign. The grant will allow us to work with three to five communities in Iowa to help them implement Buy Fresh, Buy Lo­ cal stategies to local direct-market­ ing farmers.

13 •--t Member News ·-~~· '

Thompsons win Spencer Award Mugge is Friend Boone PFI members Richard and of Extension Sharon Thompson received the 2004 Spencer Award for Sustainable Agri­ Sutherland PFI farmer Paul culture Aug. 14 at the Iowa State Fair Mugge has been named 2004 Friend in Des Moines. of Extension. The award recognizes The Spencer Award recognizes outstanding contributions to and sup­ farmers, researchers and educators port of Extension programs and its who have made a significant contribu­ mission. An award luncheon was held tion toward the stability of mainstream Sept. 28 in Ames. "Paul has been a family farms in Iowa. One of the state's Dick and Sharon Thompson (center) with leader in helping develop alternatives largest awards in sustainable agricul­ Mike Duffy (left) and Marvin Shirley (right) to the conventional cropping practices ture, the honor includes a $1,000 cash in Northwest Iowa," O'Brien County gift from the family of Norman and acre diverse crop and livestock farm, Extension education director Terry L. Margaretha Spencer, who farmed near raising beef cattle and hogs. In 1985 Janssen wrote in his nomination of Sioux City for 40 years. they were instrumental in founding Mugge for the award. The Thompsons operate a 300- Practical Farmers of Iowa. PFI members awarded SARE grants 'Farming for Us Several PFI members have been awarded $18,000 for their project, All' is out! awarded grants through the North "Value-Added Forestry Through a Central Region Sustainable Agricul­ Cooperative." There's good news and there's ture Research and Education (NCR­ • In Plainfield, Gary Laydon was more good news: Michael Bell's new SARE) program to implement awarded $2,698 for his project, book has been released by Penn State sustainable farm projects. "Wood-fired Heat for an Alternative Press, and PFI will receive half of all • Solveig Hanson of Postville Winter Farrowing System." royalties! Farmirzgfor Us All: Practical leads a team of producers exploring • Jeff and Jill Burkhart of Wood­ Agriculture and the Cultivation of "Functional Value-Added Fruit and ward were awarded $5,940 for their Sustainability is based on interviews Vegetable Processing, Product Devel­ project, "Picket Fence Creamery: Milk with more than 60 Iowa farm fami­ opment, and Marketing for Small from Cow to Carton, Bridging the lies, many of them PFI members. Cop­ Farms." The team received $17,646. Gap Between City and Country ies (both hard and soft cover) can be • Greg Koether of McGregor and Through Website Education and a ordered at www. psupress.org/books/ a team of other producers were Field Day Open House." titles/0-271-02386-4.html or by con­ tacting the PFI office. O'Brien featured in 'Ms. Magazine' Atlantic PFI member Denise Feminism? Why Going Organic For sale O'Brien and her organization Women, Makes Good Sense." Read the article Food and Agriculture Network were at www.msmagazine.com/summer Three-point 7010, six-row, 30- recently featured in Ms. Magazine in 2004/organicfarming.asp. inch Buffalo planter and 885 John an article titled "Food, Farming ... Deere matching cultivator. Planter has big sweeps with two-row huggers. Wanted: Communications support volunteer to help with proofreading of PFI Seeking $800 for each. Also selling publications and gather and/or write material for new newsletter departments. If three-point Melroe, 24-foot vibrating interested, contact Todd Kimm, 515-232-5661 ext. 108, [email protected]. tine drag. Contact: Gerald Van Meeteren, 712-324-4193.

14 .~~;- Focus on Food 1[, ...... 0 Pickles From dill to sweet, they can't be beat By Sarah Marx Feldner

irst discovered in Mesopotamia over technically a fruit of the vine (like tomatoes), Resources 4,500 years ago, pickling is one of the although they're more commonly known as oldest forms of food preservation. And a vegetable. But really, the definition is much For more traditional recipes F it's been making history ever since.' Cleopatra broader than that. A "pickle" is any food that's and an in-depth explanation thought pickles contributed to health and been soaked in a solution (usually salt, vin­ of pickling, check out beauty, Aristotle praised them for their egar, or a combination thereof) to prevent The Joy of Pickling by healing effects, Shakespeare was the first to spoilage.4 So while cucumbers may be the Linda Ziedrich (Harvard introduce the phrase "in a pickle,"2 and the pickier's most common subject, pretty much Common Press, 1998) Philadelphia Eagles used pickle juice to hy­ any fruit or vegetable will work.5 www.ilovepickles.org/, the drate during a victorious game against the authoritative pickle website. Dallas Cowboys. And did you know that the Making pickles Pickling Jeopardy at http:// United States of America is actually named More than half the cucumbers grown in foodsafety.cas.psu.edu/ after a pickle peddler? Amerigo Vespucci, who the United States are made into pickles! And preserve.html (click later became an explorer himself, made sure in Iowa, there are 79 farms (88 acres) devoted on "Food Preservation Columbus' Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria were to cucumber production, although just one Jeopardy Game"), and for stocked with the vitamin C-rich pickles to grows them expressly to become pickles on a fun, interactive pickling prevent scurvy outbreaks among crew mem­ commercial scale. Yet another reason to hit experiments, go to bers. And just a couple hundred years later, up your local farmer market-it's much www.exploratori um .edu/ the first pickle plant in America was con­ 3 harder for the pickling solution to penetrate cooking/pickles/index.html structed in New York City. the skin of wax-coated fruits and vegetables, (click on "Pickle Lab"). So what actually is a pickle? especially cucumbers, sold at grocery stores. There are three methods for pickling: Pickle festival According to the U.S. Supreme Court, Refrigerated, Fresh-Packed and Fermenta­ pickles-meaning a pickled cucumber-are tion, the most traditional. In all three, either The Rosendale, New York Picklefest, Nov. 21, 2004

1 Today, Americans consume more than nine pounds "Pickle" (v.) can mean to prepare, as an imitation, Pickling contest of pickles per person per year. and sell as genuine-usually in regard to paintings. If 2 Sponsored by Pinnacle From TheTempest (around l610-l6ll):"Howcam'st someone says, ''I'm pickled," he's drunk. A "pickler" is Foods (VIassic). For a list thou in this pickle?" and "I have been in such a pickle ..." one who picks a li ttle at a time, or who eats sparingly. 3 of the 2004 winners, go to In 1820 by Nicholas Appert. A "pickled-herring" is a clown, a buffoon, a merry­ www.iowastatefair.org/ • But"pickle" (n.) has a lot of meanings beyond the food­ andrew. And "a rod in pickle" is a punishment in re­ cgi-bin/displayresults.pl? stuff, too. 1) A person, usually a boy, who is always serve, for future application. -Oxford Engli sh 10923 59624-pickles causing trouble, mischief 2) a woman with a sour dis­ Dictionary Online position; an unattractive woman 3) a small quantity 5 Just stay away from super juicy foods, like ripe red or amount; a little 4) a troublesome situation, as in tomatoes-they'll collapse in the process. The sturdi­ "you've got us into a pretty pickle." ness of root vegetables makes them ideal for pickling. 15 Focus on Food -~·~ ~,..,.

salt, vinegar, or a combination of the two is used. Salt is what pickles food, and vinegar is what changes its pH. Pickle Terminology Refrigerated, or overnight, pickling is Pickled cucumbers can be classified into three main categories: Dill, the most common home-pickling process. Sour or Half Sour and Sweet. Cucumbers are simply placed in vinegar •!• Dill is the most popular variety. But to clarify, there is no breed of with seasonings, then refrigerated. That's it. "dill" (or any other flavor-specific) cucumber. It's how the cucumbers The cucumbers turn bright green and are processed that earns them their title. In this case, dill flavoring is crunchy, but of all the pickles, these have added at the end of fermentation. the shortest shelf life-about 90 days. • Genuine Dill pickles have the most concentrated, sour flavor of Fresh-packed, or quick process, is the the dill pickles. method most commercial manufacturers • Kosher typically means that garlic has been added for flavor, not use. The cucumbers are covered with vin­ that the pickles were produced according to kosher law. egar and seasonings, then vacuum-sealed • Overnight pickles are what you often find at a deli. and pasteurized.6 As a result, these shelf­ stable pickles are crispier and less acidic •!• Sour and Half Sour cucumbers are made with only salt, not than processed pickles (see below), retain­ vinegar. The amount of salt added controls fermentation, and the longer ing some of the cucumber's fresh color and the cucumber ferments, the more sour it becomes. flavor with a shelf-life of nine months to • Sour pickles have been fermented the longest. one year. • Half Sour pickles are made with less salt, allowing for quicker Processed (also called "cured" or "fer­ fermentation. These pickles are extra crispy. mented") pickles are made the old-fash­ •!• Sweet pickles are made with a mixture of vinegar, sugar and spices. ioned way, by a process of fermentation. To • Bread & Butter pickles are sweet and thinly sliced with a distinct, make them, the cucumbers are first put into slightly tangy flavor. 7 brine. As the cucumbers ferment, the natu­ • Candied pickles are packed in a heavily sweetened liquid. rally occurring yeast and bacteria feed on • No-Salt Sweet is a rather new variety of sweet pickles with no the sugars in the cucumber fruit. A by­ salt added. product of this process (fermentation) is • Sweet/Hot pickles are flavored with hot spices and seasonings. lactic acid8-what gives pickles their salty "pickle" taste. Once the sugars are gone, the fermentation is complete. The cucumbers are then rinsed and placed in fresh water Recipe with various seasonings. Processed pickles have a sharp flavor, and are usually dark green and somewhat translucent. They have Fried Pickles a shelf-life of over one year. ~ Ingredients: 6-10 pickle spears, 2 t. garlic powder 1 t. salt Sarah Marx Feldner, a Des Moines PFI halved lengthwise 2 t. onion powder 2 eggs member, is associate editor/researcher for 1 cup flour 2 t. freshly ground 1 \14 cup beer Cuisine at Home magazine. 1 cup cornmeal black pepper Oil for frying 2 t. cayenne Directions: Combine the flour, cornmeal, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, eggs, and beer to form a batter. Coat the 6 Pasteurization stops the fermentation and provides pickles slices with the batter, then fry in oil until golden brown, a level of food safety. about 4 minutes. Serve immediately. 7 Salt water. -Sarah Feldner 8 Acetic acid is the man-made version of it.

16 ·\ Calendar

OCTOBER able energy expert David NOVEMBER Osterberg and executive director of •!• Voices of Iowa Farm Women, Oct. the Organic Consumers Associa­ •!• Fourth Annual Iowa Organic 7, 7-9pm, Brunnier Art Museum, tion. Contact: 641-472-6665, Conference, Nov. 1, Scheman Ames. Video and photo display [email protected]. Bldg., Iowa State University, Ames. featuring PFI members followed Keynote: "Working Together on by panel discussion and recep­ •!• "Celebrating a Decade of Commu­ Behalf of Family Farms," Chuck tion. Contact: Denise O'Brien, nity Food Security," Community Hassebrook, Center for Rural Af­ 712-243-3264, [email protected]. Food Security Coalition annual fairs. Workshops, organic meal. conference, Oct. 16-19, Milwaukee. Contact: www. ucs.iastate.edu/ •!• Biotechnology Forum: Explore Farmer scholarships available. mnet/organic/about.html. the Challenges of Using Biotech­ Contact: Andy Fisher, 310-822-5410, nology, Oct. 10, 2pm, Sun Room, [email protected]. •!• ''A Democratic Approach to Sav­ Memorial Union, Iowa State Uni­ ing the Environment," David versity, Ames. Following a brief •!• "The Journey of Corn," Lois Hulse, conservation and sustain­ videotape about biotechnology Girton, Oct. 21, 7pm, Hughes Au­ able development program officer, foods, participants will explore ditorium, Reiman Gardens, Ames. John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur three alternative approaches to The development of modern corn Foundation, Nov. 4, 8pm, Sun dealing with the use ofbiotechnol­ (maize) from its Mexican ances­ Room, Memorial Union, Iowa ogy in food production. Contact: tors, the teosintes. State University, Ames. Contact: 515-294-9934, [email protected]. 515-294-9934, [email protected]. •!• Robert Wolf reading, Oct. 21, •!• Super Rice Research, Oct. 12, 7:30pm, Central College, Pella. •!• Future Farms 2004, Nov. 6, Okla­ 3:30pm, 1414 Molecular Biology Wolf reads from his book, An homa City. Workshops designed for Au d., Iowa State University, Ames. American Mosaic: Prose and Poetry farmers and ranchers who want to With Professor Yuan Longping, di­ by Everyday Folk, followed by dis­ begin, expand or refine the produc­ rector-general of the China Na­ cussion. Contact: Robert Wolf, tion and marketing of alternative tional Hybrid Rice Research and [email protected]. crops or enterprises. Contact: Kerr Development Center. Contact: Center, 918-647-9123. 515-294-9934, [email protected]. •!• Introduction to Fire Behavior and Fire Safety, Oct. 21-24, •!• Fall Harvest Gathering for Women •!• 2004 Norman Borlaug Lecture, Jefferson County Park Nature Cen­ in Sustainable Agriculture, Nov. Catherine Bertini, Oct. 13, 8pm, ter, 2003 Libertyville Rd., Fairfield. 12-14, Eagle Bluff Environmental Sun Room, Memorial Union, Iowa Class covers fire suppression and Learning Center, Lanesboro, Minn. State University, Ames. Bertini prescribed burns (prairie/wood­ Workshops and activities bring served for 10 years as executive land). Contact: Sally Gavre, 641- women involved in sustainable ag­ director of the United Nations 472-6112, email [email protected]. riculture together from Minnesota, World Food Programme. Contact: Wisconsin and Iowa to learn new 515-294-9934, [email protected]. •!•"From Seed to Soul: Benefits for skills, network and eat great Earth's Low Income Emerging food. Contact: Stacey Brown, •!• Bioneers Satellite Conference, Oct. Farmers," 2004 Annual CORNS [email protected]. 15-17, Fairfield. Local activities in­ Seed Gathering, Oct. 29-30, clude live music, booths, tours and Stillwater, Okla. Topics: women's practical workshops on ecological contribution to food security, seed topics such as plant-based prod­ saver networks, nutritional ben­ ucts, greenhouses and local foods. efits. Contact: Al Toops, Local keynote speakers are renew- 405-624-1964, [email protected].

17 On-farm Research ·)·• ... , Triticale A Step Toward Diversity

By Rick Exner

Background e often wish there were more alterna­ ing, etc. But any new crop that comes tives to corn and soybeans. Often along will not enjoy the infrastructure The small grain triticale may be W when we describe what we need, it or markets that have evolved with corn an alternative crop livestock sounds much like ... corn and soybeans: a grain and beans. And a new crop won't have producers can use to provide that can be sold at the local elevator, high yield- years of development behind it, as do quality feed or forage without high production costs, even Table 1. Triticale vs. Oats Trials though there is no established market for triticale. But does it TRITICALE TREATMENT work in Midwest cropping systems? COOPERATOR YEAR YIELD DESCRIPTION UNITS (bu.) Objective DORDT COLLEGE 2003 SPRING TRITICALE 9 1.3 (BU.) (Trimark 3 7812) Test how triticale compares to - 5,112 (LBS GRA IN) oats as a spring-seeded grain crop that is compatible with an 1.88 (T STRAW) underseeding of forages or a green manure crop. MUGGE 2003 SPRING TRITICALE 67.1 (BU.) (Trimark 37812) Results 3,670 (LBS GRAIN) Spring triticale was equivalent 1.1 (T STRAW) to oats as a nurse crop for establishing forages. Triticale DORDT COLLEGE 2004 SPRING TRITICALE 59.3 (BU.) grain yield tended to be less (Trimark 37812) than that of oats, but consider­ 3,320 (LBS GRAIN) ing the feed value of triticale, 0.73 (T STRAW) the crop was competitive with oats. A demonstration field of fall triticale yielded twice as MUGGE 2004 SPRING TRITICALE 53.2 (BU.) (frimark 37812) much as the spring triticale. 2,980 (LBS GRAIN)

- (T STRAW) Conclusion •

When producers know how to MUGGE 200312004 FALL TRITICALE 90.0 (BU.) include triticale in rations, 1t can (NE426G1) be a valuable feedstock. Spring 5,040 (LBS GRAIN) triticale is equivalent to oats in agronomic use and feed value Oat prices: 2003, $1.56; 2004, $1.30. per acre. Triticale prices based on com: 2003, $2.05; 2004, $2.1 0.

18 ~I :) -;- :~:: On-farm Research

the established crops. So how can a po­ nunciation seems to be "TRIT-ih­ grains, triticale is good at scavenging tential alternative crop "get its foot in cale-ey," but some regions make a nutrients left by previous crops, good the door" of Midwest agriculture? three-syllable word out of it.) In the at breaking up weed cycles, and help­ Producers might be willing to try past few years, ISU agronomy profes­ ful in breaking up the cropping labor a new crop if it filled a need on the sor Lance Gibson has evaluated this demands. Unlike oats, barley and farm and never had to leave the farm. crop on two Northwest Iowa PFI wheat, there isn't an established mar­ Such a crop might be consumed by farms, that of Paul and Karen Mugge, ket for the grain. However, triticale is livestock, for example. One of the !at­ Sutherland, and the Dordt College Ag superior to most of the other small est entries in the category is a cross of Stewardship Center, in Sioux Center. grains as a livestock feed. Its energy durum wheat and winter rye called As the crop's heritage suggests, content is closer to corn than to oats. "triticale." (The common Iowa pro- this is a small grain. Like other small Like oats, it has a higher lysine con-

Triticale vs. Oats Trials OAT TREATMENT DIFFERENCE YIElr YLD YLD TRITICALE COMMENT DESCRIPTION YIELD UNITS D LSD SIG $BENEFIT DIFF. OAT 153.8 (BU.) -62.5 20.3 * -$72.90 OAT MARKET VALUE VS. - TRITICALE PRICE BASED ON CORN 4,922 (LBS ACTUAL GRAIN WEIGHTS ARE GRAIN) ALMOST THE SAME 2.29 (T 0.40 * TRJTICALE HAS GREATER FEED STRAW) 0.15 VALUE PER POUND

OATS ('JERRY') 121.5 (BU.) -54.4 11.3 * -$69.07 OAT MARKET VA LUE VS. TRJTICALE PRICE BASED ON CORN 3,813 (LBS ACTUAL GRAIN WEIGHTS ARE GRAIN) ALMOST THE SAME 1.4 (T TRITICALE HAS GREATER FEED STRAW) VALUE PER POUND

OAT 153.4 (BU.) -$74.89 OAT MARKET VALUE VS. TRJTICALE PRICE BASED ON CORN 4,909 (LBS -1,589 364 * GRAIN) 1.41 (T -0.68 - TRJTICALE HAS GREATER FEED STRAW) VALUE PER POUND

OAT 103.4 (BU.) -$22.70 YlELDS WERE NOT STATISTICALLY DIFFERENT, SO THE ECONOMICS 3,308 (LBS -328 1,074 N.S. PROBABLY ACTUALLY FAVOR GRAIN) TRITICALE ' - (T - NO STRAW YIELDS COLLECETED STRAW)

FALL VARIETIES YIELD BETTER THAN SPRING VARIETIES OF TRITICALE. SPRING VARIETIES ARE BETTER NURSE CROPS FOR FORAGE ESTABLISHMENT.

19 ~l On-farm Research ;; ·

tent than corn, but its crude protein content, 12.5 percent, is higher than either corn or oats. Perhaps most importantly, the Table 2. Triticale varieties with low ergot levels fiber content of triticale is less than half that of oats. The fiber in and good agronomic characteristics for grain oats makes it a useful feed for young livestock, but it also makes production in Iowa triticale perfonnance tests. it less efficient for use in growing/finishing animals. Finally, the (Courtesy of Lance Gibson.) phosphorus in triticale is utilized three times more efficiently Winter varieties Spring varieties than that in corn, reducing the potential for P buildup on the Alzo• AC AJtaC farm. Lance Gibson is helping to write a bulletin on feeding small Decor AC William" grains, including triticale. DANKO Presto• Trical Brand 378J2d The Dordt College Agricultural Stewardship Center main­ Kitarob Trical Brand 46520c tains a dairy herd, and Paul and Karen Mugge finish pigs. Both Larnbertob Wapiti" raise small grains for feed and as a nurse crop to establish for­ NE95T426• age or green manure crops. Older varieties of triticale were lower Prestob yielding, had lower test weight, did not stand well, sometimes Roughriderl' contained feeding inhibitors, and were subject to the fungus Trical Brand 336• that causes ergot. Recent work has improved these traits, and Trical Brand 815" has led to varieties specifically for grain production or for for­ Sorentob age. The variety that Dordt College and the Mugges grew is a Verob spring variety (Trimark 37812) from Resource Seeds, in Cali­ • Tested at 5 sites in 2002 and 2003 fornia. This is one of the few spring varieties with good ergot b Tested at 5 sites in 2003 tolerance. (See Table 2 of varieties.) c Tested at 3 sites in 2003 In 2003, the Dordt College Agricultural Stewardship Center d Tested at 3 sites in 2002 and 2003 and Paul and Karen Mugge both compared triticale to oats (Table 1). In both cases, the oat yield (in 32-lb bushels) was much greater, but the harvested weights were very similar to the triticale yields. How do you place an economic value on triticale? There (Triticale test weight is now typically 56 pounds per bushel, the is no established market price for the crop. Lance Gibson same as corn.) In 2004, the harvested weights were similar on suggests basing it on the value of corn. Table 1 shows both the Mugge farm, while at the Ag Stewardship Center the har­ oat market prices and corn prices for the two years of the vested weight of oats was significantly greater. study. Besides that, pound-for-pound, triticale is a superior But yield was only one of the objectives. As mentioned, feed to oats. So for similar pound yields, a farmer in a posi­ Trimark 37812 is a spring triticale. Spring triticale can serve as a tion to feed these crops is better off with the triticale. nurse crop for spring-seeded forages, although it does not yield With continued work, triticale may"come in the back as well as fall triticale. In the fall of 2003, Paul Mugge seeded door" of Midwest agriculture, becoming less an alterna­ NE426GT, a variety of fall triticale developed at the University of tive crop and more a standard option for producers who Nebraska. The yield was 90 bushels per acre (5,040 lbs/acre), can utilize the feed and who like the idea of having an­ nearly double that of the spring triticale. other crop in the rotation. $.!! •• , L L IVIR arge (continuedfrompg8) percent of their income. munity College and this fall is launch­ we treat our soil, how we rotate our "You've got to be profitable, and ing a sustainable and entrepreneurial gardens, how we use our manure ..." we've got to fmd ways for farmers to agriculh1re program there that will he "And how we feed ourselves is a make it," Linda says. "We're not a the first of its kind in the Midwest (see huge part of it;' Mark adds. "The other model of that. We have to reconcile story on page 9). thing is that as the number of farms that sometimes." "In a lot of ways this is a demon~ dwindles people really like to go see Linda and Mark look at their op­ stration farm," Linda says. "People firsthand how an environmentally eration as a teaching tool. Linda teaches come out to see what pastured poul­ friendly farm works. I think that con­ biology at nearby Marshalltown Com- try looks like. We talk a lot about how nection is very important." $.!! 20 . ,, :·.:~ Member Perspectives -t

Sustainable agriculture ... We throw those words around a lot, but are we really sure what they mean, or what we want them to mean? We wondered what the phase means to you, our readers and members. Send your 150-words-or-less definitions of sustainable agriculture to Practical Farmers of Iowa, Attn. Todd, PO Box 349, Ames, lA 50010, or email them to [email protected]. Feel free to be as poetic or technical as you'd like. A free PFI hat to anyone who sends in a thoughtful response.

Ralph Alshouse farms with his wife Shirley near Corydon. They no-till crop corn and beans. Ralph is also chair of Appanoose County Landfill.

What Is Sustainable Agriculture?

or me, sustainable agriculture is very rolling farm. I use Roundup chemical to balancing micro-organisms, soil ero­ burn down the wheat at planting time. I use Fsion and costs. Sustainable agriculture soil sampling and application to avoid too must make a reasonable profit to stay in much fertilizer. business. So real life dictates that each acre Good soil tilth is only a thrifty multitude produce the highest income possible while of interacting, livi ng soil creatures. Earth­ keeping soil erosion and chemical inputs to worms, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other ammrmum. nematodes decompose organic matter and In my limited attempt to reach this noble convert it to nutrients that plants can pro­ goal, I use complete no-till, winter wheat as cess. It has been estimated that all the living a cover crop, filter strips along our two creeks, creatures found in one acre of good no­ CRP where eligible, tile inlet terraces, a di­ till soil equals the body weight of one version terrace, cross slope planting, 2.2-acre rnalun:: cow. ~ grid soil sampling-all to get my erosion down to less than half-a-ton per acre on our -Ralph Alshouse

21 - Resources ...} ..-

In each issue we focus on a selection of resource organizations and highlight some of the reports, books, newsletters, etc. each offers. This issue, we look at resources offering info on organic farming.

MOSES ______Certifying Agencies www.mosesorganic .org A comprehensive list of accred­ ited certifying agencies can be With a purview of the Upper Organic fact sheets fo und at www.ams.usda.gov/nop/ Midwest, The Midwest Organic and Available online in Word and Certifyi ngAgen ts/ Accredited. h tml. Sustainable Ed ucation Service PDF, topics include "WI, MN and lA The site lists 55 domestic agents by (MOSES) is working to help agricul­ Organic Resource List;"'Introduction state. Some listed area agencies in­ ture make the transition to a sustain­ to Crop Insurance" and "Marketing clude: able organic system of farming that Organic Grains." is ecologically sound, economically Certified Organic, Inc. viable and socially just, through in­ 500 1st St. fo rmation, education and research. Upper Midwest Organic Keosauqua, lA 52565 Resources include: Resource Directory Contact: Nanette Rambo, 866-581-6428 E- mail: [email protected] Info rmation abo ut certification Website: www.certifiedorginc.org Organic Broadcaster agencies, state and government agen­ Scope: crop, livestock, wild crop, cies, farmer co-ops, networks, suppli­ A bimonthly newspaper high­ handling lighting news, information and inno­ ers, processors, buyers and much more. vations in o rganic agricult ure. Iowa Department of Agriculture Individual articles are available on the Organic Conference Organic Program website (including a recent feature 502 East 9th St. about PFI's Buy Fresh, Buy Local cam­ Attracting over 1,400 people each Des Moines, lA 50319 year, this event offers workshops, dis­ paign). Subscriptions ($20 for six is­ Contact: Maury Wills, 515-281-5783 cussions and lectures on many or­ sues and $38 for 12) are available by E-mail: maury. [email protected]. us ganic subjects. Next year's conference writing: 51560 Johnstown Rd., Sol­ Website: www.agriculture.state.ia.us/ is Feb. 26-28 at the LaCrosse, Wise. diers Grove, WI 54655. organic.html Convention Center. Scope: crop, livestock, wild crop, handling

Books available from Moses Organic Crop Improvement Association • Alternative Treatments for Ruminant Animals 6400 Cornhusker, Ste. 125 • The Small Dairy Resource Book Lincoln, NE 68507 • The Organic Livestock Handbook Contact: Jeff See, 402-477-2323 • The Flower Farmer E-mail: [email protected] • Four-Season Harvest Website: www.ocia.org Scope: crop, livestock, wild crop, • The Legal Guide for Direct Farm Marketing handling • Managing Cover Crops Profitably • Weeds and Why They Grow

22 . ~ t·;c Resources ', > "'

ISU _____ OFRF ______http://extension .agron.iastate. edu/ www.ofrf.org organicag/ The Organic Farming Research SCOAR bulletins Iowa State University's organics de­ Foundation (OFRF) sponsors re­ SCOAR is a collaboration of pro­ partment has a website that includes search related to organic farming ducers and scientists to develop and various resources: practices, disseminates results of that conduct a national research agenda research to organic farmers, and edu­ for organic agriculture. Bulletins and cates the public and decision-makers Publications other information about the project about organic farming issues. Re­ are available on the website. Available online in PDF. Hard copies sources include: can be ordered at any county extension office or by contacting the Extension Website Publications Distribution Center on the Iowa State Information Bulletin University campus (515-294-5247, OFRF's website includes a com­ Recent issues include articles on [email protected]). Minimal fees are prehensive FAQ (Frequently Asked breeding seeds for organic systems, charged for multiple copies of publica­ Questions) with answers to questions impacts of GMOs on organic farm­ tions and for single copies of publications from "What does certified organic ers, as well as regular sections on re­ of more than four pages. mean?" to "Why does organic cost search and policy. Issues are available • Fundamentals of Organic Agriculture more?" • Growing Organic Soybeans on as PDFs online or by contacting the OFRF office. Conservation Reserve Program Land Research Grants • Soil Quality in Organic Agricultural State of the States Systems Information on applying for A compilation oforganic programs, • Weed Management for Organic OFRF on-farm research grants is contacts and resources at the nation's Farmers available online. There is an excellent public land grant agriculture schools. • Open-Pollinated Corn Variety Trial On-farm Research Guide, as well as Survey results • Effect of Organic Soil Amendments grant guidelines and deadlines. A list Since 1993, OFRF has conducted on Broccoli Production of grant reports is also available, but three national surveys of certified or­ actual reports must be ordered ganic farmers. Information includes Research Reports through the mail: PO Box 339, Spring Valley, WI 54767,715-772-3153, farm profiles, production and market­ ing details, and effects of GMOs. • Evaluation of Corn Varieties for [email protected]. Certified Organic Production • Evaluation of Tillage and Crop Rotation Effects in Certified Organic Opportunity Production Breeding livestock loan fund Other resources Lists of sources for seeds, soil amend­ Ag Connect offers a new breeding livestock loan fund for farmers ments, feeds and pest management in Southern Iowa. The fund is part of a national demonstration project to help beginning farmers start livestock businesses. The plan calls for Iowa Organic Conference loaning bred females in groups of 14 sows, 20 bred ewes or goats, 12 dairy cows, or 15 bred beef cows. For more info, contact Bill Beaman, Workshops, discussions and lectures Ag Connect, 614-333-4656, [email protected]. on many organic subjects. This year's conference is Nov. 1 in Ames. 23 Learning to Dance Together

By Millicent Hicks Cozzie

FI is to be congratulated health-conscious consumers. me that I live in the breadbasket of on the success of its Buy Fresh, Buy Local is success­ the world, the grain and pulse capital fully connecting local consumers with of the Midwest, but am forced beyond PBuy Fresh, Buy Local very small producers of perishable the confines of my own state to pur­ campaign. I have maintained foods through direct, face-to-face chase my food. for many years that the answer marketing. The next challenge for PFI The ideas for this article emerged is to connect consumers nationwide after an attempt to buy black turtle to family farmer woes and with the mid-size Midwestern pro­ beans at a local health food store. consumers searching for ducer of nonperishable (translate: When I came home with beans grown healthy food is easily shipped) organic grains and in China, I began an earnest search for to reconnect pulses. Internet marketing can be­ new methods to purchase my food. I come the tool for this joyous dance sought the most reliable, trustworthy, these two seg­ between family farmer and health­ "Midwestern grown" sources of ments of our conscious consumer. With this dance Internet sales and now purchase all of society and we can rapidly increase the attempts my organic grains and pulses with the have us learn to to undo the deleterious effects of the aid of cyberspace technology. 20th century on both farmer and con­ California led the nation in the dance together. sumer. With this dance we can hasten production of organic fruits and veg­ Government-sponsored f~rm the dawning of a Midwestern "organic etables for health-conscious consum­ programs, the prepared food indus­ spring" in Iowa fields of row crops. ers. Wisconsin shaped the organic try, and fast food restaurants are With this dance, Iowa can become to dairy industry. It is my prayer that among many of the developments this nation a new beacon shining a Iowa soil and cooperatives of mid-size that drove a wedge between producer slightly different hue on what it grows farmers will provide Internet purchas­ and consumer in the 20th century. best: grains and pulses. ing power of bulk organic grains and The demise of the family farm pulses to hungry, health-conscious and the consequent burgeoning of A diet of whole consumers across our land. As the or­ health problems attest to the alarm­ ganic industry has grown, the avail­ ing effects of this wedge. For the sake grains and pulses ability of bulk organic grains and of survival of family farmers and con­ I am a consumer whose diet con­ pulses has ironically diminished. sumers trying to maintain their sists primarily of organic whole grains Though the organic movement began health in a very toxic world, we must and pulses. I enjoy oat groats for with health food stores full of bulk persevere in our attempts to stop this breakfast and afternoon snack, barley bins of nonperishable staples, those dance of death between consumers for lunch and dinner, and unleavened bins in modern health food stores are with unaffordable healthcare needs bread made from soft white wheat being eclipsed by the larger profit and corporate agriculture and food throughout the day. Four times each margins of a rapidly growing new in­ processing. I challenge PFI members day I delight in a serving of low faL dustry: prepared organic foods. to carry their Buy Fresh, Buy Local suc­ pulses from which the soybean (due cess to new heights and lead the Mid­ to its abnormally high fat content) is The Internet connection west in the production and marketing conspicuously absent. Most of my of bulk organic grains and pulses food could easily be grown in Iowa. It I fervently believe a nationwide (peas, beans, lentils) to our nation's is a constant source of frustration to niche market of bulk organic grains

24 -~)_

,::-:-.- Reflections • I •

launch this new program with a potluck din­ I fervently believe a nationwide ner and "Harvest Dance" this fall. Those who niche market of bulk grains are primarily producers could wear one color of nametag. Those who are primarily con­ and pulses is emerging. sumers could wear another. Only opposite colors would be allowed to sit and dance to­ gether. We need to talk to each other. Strong and pulses is emerging. The larger conglom­ media coverage (hopefully nationwide) erates that have driven the smaller health food could swell the numbers of those mid-size stores out of business are not interested in organic farmers still searching for financial this market. Yet we consumers who began this success and those consumers who say that movement by preparing our own food from eating organically is too expensive. Though bulk organic ingredients are having difficulty the cost of prepared organic foods is exorbi­ finding our food. The Internet can connect tant (and lining the investment portfolios of consumers to producers with joyous disre­ the health food executives), Internet purchas­ gard for the latest executive insider trading ing of bulk organic grains and pulses, even in the large conglomerates of the new health with shipping costs, is reasonable. Further­ food industry or the idiosyncrasies of more, with the aid of modern kitchen appli­ current USDA farm programs. The Internet ances, the preparation of multiple servings provides a direct marketing opportunity that of pulses and grains offers a busy society keeps my food dollars out of the stock port­ quick, healthy alternatives to commercially folios of "middle men" and in the wallets of prepared or restaurant foods. those I treasure most: the producers of my These are my dreams. These are my per­ wholesome food. spectives as a long-time consumer of bulk Within two or three years, I hope to have organic foods. I pray now for many "point­ a second PFI apron. It will have two pictures ers" among PFI staff and members who can on it. One picture will be of a male farmer implement my dreams with successful, prac­ with his baseball cap and jeans dancing with tical applications. What is motivating me to a woman in a fancy, long dress. The other will write? I want to stop weeping at the plight of be of a female farmer in her straw hat and the American family farmer. I want to be able overalls dancing with a man in a business suit. to purchase the food I need. Always most A new program to connect hungry urban important to a mother, however.. .I want my consumers with Iowa's rural producers of adult children in urban settings to be able to bulk organic grains and pulses will be in full buy the food they need in the future. May swing across my state, thanks to cyberspace the seeds of this article fall on fertile PFI marketing. hands, minds and soil across my state and begin a radical, massive transformation of A 'Harvest Dance' this fall Iowa row crop production. Dear reader, may I have this dance?~ I suggest that PFI celebrate the expan­ Millicent Hicks Cozzie is a PFI member from sion of its Buy Fresh, Buy Local campaign and Ely, Iowa.

25 Be a proud PFI member! Wear your love of local foods with PFI's Wear a PFI shirt, cook with a PFI apron, new Buy Fresh, Buy Local campaign logo. shop with a PFI tote bag ... Beautiful design, dazzling colors!

Casual Cap-$12 Khaki, Velcro closure, "Healthy Food, Diverse Farms, Vibrant Commtmities" Posters-$5 each, $20 for five. tagline printed on back. $3 each for orders of 10 or more. Made in the USA. 11 Y2" X 13"

___QTY ___$ ___QTY ___$

Farmer Cap-$8 Apron-$15 Summer style farmer cap with light White, 8 oz. 100% cotton canvas, denim cotton front and mesh back. 26" -long, adjustable Made in the USA. neck strap, tie straps

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T-shirt-$10 Heavyweight, 6.1 oz 100% cotton jersey in S-2XL. White with full-color Buy Fresh, Buy Local logo on front.

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GroceryTote-$1 0 Natural color 100% cotton canvas Sub-Total ___ tote with full color Buy Fresh, Buy Local logo. Perfect for grocery Shipping & Handling ___ shopping, or taking to the -$3 for the first item, $1 for each additional item. farmers market. Poster Shipping & Handling Made in the USA. - $2 for up to 5, $1 extra for each additional 5 posters. ___QTY $

TOTAL ___

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