Practical Farmers of Iowa Launches Next Generation Program

Practical Farmers of Iowa is recruiting farmers for their Next Generation learning community. Margaret Smith and Tom German will lead a two-part training session on family goal setting and communication to kick off the program. The sessions are scheduled for February 12 and March 6, 12:00-8:00 pm at the Harvest Vineyard Church in Ames.

Margaret Smith is a PFI farmer, ISU Extension Specialist and certified trainer in Holistic Management. Tom German is a consultant for PFI, leading grazing cluster teams, as well as a PFI farmer.

Practical Farmers of Iowa established the Next Generation program based upon needs voiced by families facing this transition. Jim Peterson, Knoxville, farms with his sons. “You have to be sure to listen and be willing to look at things the younger generation suggests” Dieter Geest, who farms with his father near Davenport, said training to “figure out how to work together and not get angry with each other, and how to work out a business plan so nobody feels like they’re getting a bad deal” would be helpful.

This opportunity is for a family with a son or daughter hoping to return to the farm as well as a farmer who has identified someone other than a family member to potentially take over the farm. People at all stages of this transition are eligible, from someone who is just starting to think about how to integrate a specific person to those who transitioned years ago. The group will meet throughout 2008 and 2009, and is open to participants statewide. Participation of both generations is required. The only fee for the first two sessions is a potluck dish to share at dinner.

Practical Farmers of Iowa is able to present this program for transitioning farmers with funding from The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Pre-registration is required for this event. The registration deadline is February 8. To learn more about the Next Generation learning community or to register, contact Cedar Johnson at (515)232-5661, or cedar@practicalfarmers.org.

PFI is a non-profit sustainable agriculture group dedicated to farming that is profitable, environmentally sound, and healthy for consumers and communities. Founded in 1985, PFI has over 700 farmer and non-farmer members throughout Iowa. For more information, call 515-232-5661 or visit www.practicalfarmers.org.