Practical Farmers of Iowa Launches Next Generation Program
By the IFU
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 theyre 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 .
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