Practical Farmers of Iowa
2005 Field Days

PFI field days have become an Iowa tradition.  This year that tradition is more venerable than ever as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary.  But field days are about more than just tradition; they are about innovation and vision.  This year’s field days do a little looking back and a lot of looking forward.

June 21    Niche Grains: Flax and Low-Lin Soybeans
June 30    PFI 20th Anniversary Field Day
July 1      Organic Flax Production and Marketing
July 23    Farm Vineyard Workshop and Wine Tasting
July 26    Herd Health in Alternative Swine Systems
July 27    Quality Corn, CSA Garden and More
July 28    Getting to Know Henry A. Wallace Day
July 30    Wright County Food Festival & Market
Aug. 3     Grass-fed Beef Production & Marketing
Aug. 22   Field School for Weed Ecology & Management
Aug. 24   Sustainable Row Crops, Livestock, and Home Gardens
Aug. 27   Organic Flax Production and Marketing
Aug. 29   Low-Lin vs. Tofu Beans, Hybrids, Forage Tools, Finishing Beef
Sept. 8    The Conservation Security Program at Work
Sept. 10   ZJ Farm Tour and Celebration
Sept. 11   Quality Corn, Crop Breeding for Farmers
Sept. 24   Grazing as Cost-Effective Conservation
Sept. 27   Breeding and Selecting Corn for Quality
Oct. 1      Corn Harvest Festival, Alternative Swine

Niche Grains: Flax and Low-Lin Soybeans

TUES., JUNE 21 SOUTHEAST IOWA

In cooperation with Asoyia LLC, the ISU Dept. of Agronomy, the ISU Extension Value-Added Ag Program, the ISU Organics Program, and Spectrum Organics.
Greg and Lori Wiley
2474 Hwy. 92, Washington 52353
(319) 653-7393, jgw@iowatelecom.net
1:00 P.M.
The Wileys farm about 300 acres of organic crops and 220 acres conventionally.
Organic flax: production tips; flax variety comparison; market options and outlook. Overview of ongoing flax research in Iowa (Margaret Smith, ISU Extension Value-Added; Mary Wiedenhoeft and Sarah Carlson, ISU Agronomy Dept.).
Directions: Go east out of Washington on Highway 92. First farm out of town; north side of road.

Bob and Dick Gallagher
2672 260th St., Washington 52353
(319) 653-2887
3:00 P.M.
The Gallagher brothers farm 1,000 acres of corn and soybeans. This is their second year raising low-linolenic oil soybeans with Asoyia LLC. They also raise seed beans and grow breeder’s seed beans.
Low-linolenic acid oil soybeans: production considerations; prospects for consumer demand; the niche for 1% linolenic varieties; branding; identifying sales channels (Rich Lineback, Asoyia LLC); opportunities for additional growers.
Directions: Meet at the farm of Dick Gallagher. From Washington, go 3½ miles east on Hwy. 92. South 1 mile on Redwood Ave. Farm is on the intersection of Redwood and 260th St.; look for green and white machine shed and ranch house.

PFI 20th Anniversary Field Day

With Special Guest George DeVault of New Farm Magazine.

THURS., JUNE 30 SOUTHWEST IOWA
In cooperation with the ISU Dept. of Agronomy, the ISU Extension Value-Added Ag Program, the ISU Organics Program, and Spectrum Organics. Cosponsored by Midstates Bank, Southwest Iowa Area Extension, and the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD).
Rosmann Family Farms – Ron, Maria, David, Daniel, and Mark Rosmann
1222 Ironwood Rd., Harlan 51537
(712) 627-4653, rrosmann@fmctc.com
Rosmann family members have been PFI leaders for two decades, developing their operation into a model of a successful mid-sized, sustainable farming system. The family grows and markets a diversity of crops – food and feed grade white and yellow corn, tofu soybeans, barley, oats, flax, and mixed alfalfa. Integrated into their organic farming system is a 40 sow deep-bedded farrow-to-finish operation and an 80-head cow-calf herd. Meat is marketed through a private label direct-marketing business, as well as an organic meat cooperative.
4:00 P.M. Demonstrations and Discussions: flax trials with different cover crops; overview of ongoing flax research in Iowa (Margaret Smith, ISU Extension Value-Added; Mary Wiedenhoeft and Sarah Carlson, ISU Agronomy Dept.); results from the 2004 and 2005 organic flax experiments at the ISU Neely Kinyon and Crawfordsville research farms (Kathleen Delate, ISU Organics Program); rotational grazing of cow-calf and feeder cattle operations; organic deep-bedded swine operation; manure composting; ridge-till corn and soybeans; soybean cultivation demonstration; field tour of barley and oat crops with field peas for feed.
7:00 P.M. 20th Anniversary Dinner with reflections on the early years and legacy of PFI. Special guests include PFI co-founder Dick Thompson and George DeVault of Emmaus, PA. George is a farmer, past editor of New Farm Magazine, current farm editor at Rodale, Inc., and an early PFI co-conspirator!
7:30 P.M. PFI Legacy Award presented to Harold Wright.
Directions: From the intersection of Hwys. 59 and 44 in Harlan, travel 2 miles west, then 2¼ miles north on Ironwood. West side.

Organic Flax Production and Marketing

FRI., JULY 1 SOUTHWEST IOWA

In cooperation with the ISU Dept. of Agronomy, the ISU Extension Value-Added Ag Program, the ISU Organics Program, and Spectrum Organics.
Jeff Longfellow
2489 260th Ct., Bedford 50833
(712) 523-2643
9:30 A.M.
Jeff Longfellow raises corn, soybeans, small grains, and flax on a total of about 250 certified organic acres, some of which is owned by his father. He also maintains a cow-calf herd.
Organic flax: production tips; flax variety comparison; market options and outlook. Overview of ongoing flax research in Iowa (Margaret Smith, ISU Extension Value-Added; Mary Wiedenhoeft and Sarah Carlson, ISU Agronomy Dept.); multi-crop strip intercropping; cattle on pasture, meat goats.
Directions: About 4½ miles east of Bedford, turn south on the county road N56/Quail Ave. blacktop. (There are signs pointing the way to Sheridan, Missouri near the intersection.) Go 1 mile south on N56 and turn west onto 270th St. Go west 1 mile on 270th St. and turn south onto Post Ave. (There’s a cell phone tower very near the intersection.) Go a little over ½ mile south. Farm is on the west side of the road; brick house and a large barn.
LIGHT LUNCH SERVED.

Farm Vineyard Workshop and Wine Tasting

SAT., JULY 23 NORTHWEST IOWA

Richard Black
3228 Xenia Ave., Farnhamville 50538
(515) 467-5574, rblacka@wccta.com
8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.
On his Calhoun County century farm, retired art professor Richard Black cultivates his artwork and a one-and-a-half-acre vineyard. He took the grape-growing plunge three years ago and will soon market the fruits of his labor to wineries across the state. Richard enjoys sharing his expertise with others and working toward the day when Iowa wine will be as prized as California or even French wine. And the numbers don’t look bad either; he says he can make more off two acres of grapes than his entire hundred acres of corn and beans.
8:30 A.M. Registration
9:00 A.M. Welcome & Introductions
9:30 A.M. Opening session: “Growing Grapes as an Alternative Crop”
10:30 A.M. Break – Food & drink; displays
11:00 A.M. Concurrent sessions: “Viticulture for Beginning Growers,” “Winery Issues – The Next Level.”
12:00 P.M. Lunch
1:00 P.M. “Quality & Profit for the Commercial Grower”
2:00 P.M. Food & drink; displays
2:30 P.M. “Grapes & Wine – The Whole Package”
3:30 P.M. Wine tasting – “Vocabulary & Experience” (may be attended separately)
4:30 P.M. Art Studio Tour
Cost: Workshop, $35 before July 15 and $45 after; wine tasting $10 before July 15 and $15 after. To register, contact Jerry Chizek, 521 4th St., Box 233, Rockwell City, IA 50579, (712) 297-8611 (phone), (712) 297-7011 (fax), jwchizek@iastate.edu.
Directions: From Rinard, go two miles east on D46, then 1¼ miles south on Xenia Ave. From Farnhamville, go 2½ miles west on Hwy. 175, then 3¾ miles north on Xenia Ave. Farm is on east side of road.

Herd Health in Alternative Swine Systems

TUES., JULY 26 NORTHWEST IOWA

In cooperation with the Pork Niche Market Working Group (PNMWG) and ISU Extension. Cosponsored by the National Pork Board.

Healthy Pigs – Putting Principles to Work in Alternative Systems
9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
(Preregistration by July 25 is required)
Paullina Community Center, 127 S. Main St., Paullina
Kurt Van Hulzen, D.V.M.; Dave Stender, ISU Extension
    Husbandry on Sustainable Farms
    Biosecurity for Sustainable Farms
    Pig Flow
    Reproductive Management
    Veterinary on Sustainable Farms
Both swine producers and vets are invited to this workshop, which will offer a preview of the coming herd health guide for alternative swine systems. There is no charge for the morning workshop or lunch, but preregistration by July 25 is required. Contact Rick Exner, (515) 294-5486, dnexner@iastate.edu.
Directions: From Hwy. 10, take the Main St. boulevard south 3 blocks. Paullina Community Building is on the east side, at 127 S. Main.

Swine Field Day

1:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.  (No preregistration.)
Dan and Lorna Wilson
4375 Pierce Ave., Paullina 51046
(712) 448-3870, dwilson@pionet.net
The Wilsons farm 800 acres of corn, soybeans, barley, and hay. They maintain a 160-sow farrow-to-finish operation, using pasture and novel confinement structures. Seventy-five percent of the hogs are custom finished by a neighbor, and the rest by the Wilsons.
Demonstrations: cost-effective herd health; farrowing in a deep-bedded “greenhouse”; farrowing on rotational pasture; a multi-species grazing system.
Directions: From Paullina, go 2 miles west on Hwy. 10, 2¼ miles north on Pierce Ave. West side, tall pines.

Quality Corn, CSA Garden and More

WED., JULY 27 EAST-CENTRAL IOWA

In cooperation with the USDA ARS, the ISU Agronomy Dept., the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, and the ISU Entomology Dept. Cosponsored by the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA).
Laura Krouse, Abbe Hills Farm
825 Abbe Hills Road, Mt. Vernon 52314.
319-895-6924, LKrouse@cornellcollege.edu
Laura Krouse and her workers operate a CSA for nearly 120 families in the Mt. Vernon area. She also raises and sells open-pollinated corn for seed. The corn, called Abbe Hills OP, has been grown on the same Linn County farm for 102 years. Laura also teaches biology at Cornell College and is a longtime commissioner of the Linn Soil and Water Conservation District.
Demonstrations and Discussions:
6:00 P.M. Garden and wetland walk features large CSA garden, use of cover crops in the garden, mobile hoop-house for layers, growing pains of restored prairie and wetland.
7:00 P.M. Scents for management of soybean aphid (Bob Ellingson and Junwei Zhu, ISU Entomology Dept.)
7:30 P.M. Corn breeding for farmers
Performance and protein level of experimental hybrids.
Comparing variety crosses. Breeding crosses between elite inbred lines and high-yielding exotic populations with good grain quality were crossed with each of three breeding crosses that have been the source of useful inbred lines.
Amino acid levels in high-protein variety crosses in conventional and organic production systems.
Repeat performance? Comparing the highest yielding materials from the 2004 evaluation trial.
8:30 P.M. Refreshments and visit
Directions: From the intersection of Hwy. 30 and Hwy. 1 near Mt. Vernon, take Hwy. 1 north into town. At the light, turn left and go west to 8th Ave., also called X20. Turn right, and go north out of town 1.4 miles. At Abbe Hills Rd., turn left and go west 1¼ mile. There are two red sheds on the north side of the road.

Getting to Know Henry A. Wallace Day

THURS., JULY 28 SOUTHWEST IOWA

In cooperation with the Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center and the ISU Plant Pathology Dept.
Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center
2773 290th St., Orient 50849
(641) 337-5019 (Diane Weiland), haw@mddc.com
The Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center is the birthplace homestead of Henry A. Wallace, U.S. Vice President, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, founder of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, writer, scientist, and humanitarian. In December, 1999, the Des Moines Register named him the “Most Influential Iowan of the 20th Century.” The 40-acre historic site consists of the birthplace home, the new Gathering Barn meeting place, a restored prairie, woodland, pond, outdoor art sculptures, walking trail, and the Prairie Harvest CSA, an organic vegetable and fruit garden.
4:30 – 6:30 P.M. Tours of the produce garden, research plots, orchard, and flower gardens (including row covers to protect melons from cucumber beetles and biological pest management in the apple orchard with the ISU Plant Pathology Dept.)
6:00 – 7:30 P.M. Local Foods Sampler. Choose from a variety of fresh-cooked foods from some of the area’s best cooks. There will be local meats, appetizers, vegetables, salads, desserts, and Iowa wines.
Directions: From I-80, take the Stuart exit, go south on P-28 for 12 miles to Hwy. 92. Go west on Hwy. 92 2½ miles. Turn south on P-33 (Henry A. Wallace Rd.) for 5 miles to 290th St. Turn west, go ¼ mile to the Country Life Center. North side of the road.

Wright County Food Festival & Market

SAT., JULY 30 NORTH-CENTRAL

Sponsors/partners: Wright County Extension; Prairie Winds R C & D; Wright County Economic Development; Belmond United Church of Christ; Wright County Conservation Board; Karen Newman, B-K Family and Consumer Science instructor; Gary Brandt, Clarion; Wright County Farm Bureau; Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI); Women, Food & Agriculture Network (WFAN).
11:00 A.M – 2:00 P.M.
Lake Cornelia Park, Clarion 50525
Jan Libbey, (641) 495-6367
Come celebrate food and community with a healthy helping of local food and music. Powered by the I-RENEW Photo Voltaic Cell Traveler. Come experience the power of local connections.
11 A.M. – 1:30 P.M. Local music & food demonstration; youth activities; information displays.
Noon – 1:00 P.M. All Local Lunch. (freewill donation)
1:30 P.M. Sweet Corn Eating Contest. (Call Jan to sign up for a team!)
Directions: Take Hwy. 3 east 1 mile from Clarion to R35, turn north on R35 all the way (5 miles) to Lake Cornelia Park. Turn into main park entrance, follow road toward north lake shore area. Activities will be centered around the open lakeside shelter.

Grass-fed Beef Production & Marketing

WED., AUG. 3 NORTHWEST IOWA

Cosponsored by the Iowa Network for Community Agriculture (INCA), Food Alliance Midwest, the Iowa Forage and Grasslands Council (IFGC), and Robert & Angela Pridie of Akron, IA.
Tom and Kristi German
5139 210th St., Holstein 51025
(712) 365-4433, tagerman@netllc.net
On their 400-acre organic farm, Tom and Kristi (along with their children Daniel, Morgan, and Grace, and Tom’s parents, Bill and Bev Meyer) specialize in grass-finished beef; pastured, free-range poultry; farmstead eggs; sweet corn, and potatoes. They sell their products from their farm as well as direct to area customers, food co-ops, buying clubs, and customers nationwide.
1:00 P.M. Greeting and introductions by Tom and Kristi.
1:30 P.M. Introduction to grass-fed beef production by Allen Williams, branded beef consultant, Livestock Management Consultants, and vice president of The Jacob Alliance. Genetics, breeds, pastures, fencing, assessing your animals (weighing, ultrasound, visual inspection), etc.
1:45 P.M. Marketing grass-fed beef, with Ray Kirsch, Food Alliance Midwest, and Todd Churchill, Thousand Hills Cattle Company.
2:00 P.M. Field Tour. Further discussions on genetics, production, and marketing by the speakers.
3:30 – 4:00 P.M. Wrap-up Q&A, federal incentives for grass-based production.
4:00 – 5:00 P.M. Light Meal
5:00 P.M. Roundtable Discussions. For those who want to stick around and talk with presenters and attendees about specific topics.

Field School for Weed Ecology & Management

MON., AUG. 22 CENTRAL Iowa

In cooperation with the ISU Dept. of Agronomy, ISU Extension, and the ISU Organics Program.
Contacts: Matt Liebman, ISU Agronomy, (515) 294-7486
    Bob Hartzler, ISU Extension Agronomy, (515) 294-1164
1:30 – 3:45 P.M.
The weed community in a field continually changes in response to management practices. Many factors other than herbicides influence these shifts, including tillage, row spacing, crop rotation, and weed seed predation by rodents and insects. How do these factors affect weed population dynamics, and how do these processes interact with herbicides and other management strategies?
Demonstrations:
Seed predation demonstration: Evaluate the influence of seed predators on giant foxtail populations in soybean.
Crop-Weed Competition: Evaluate the effect of row spacing and emergence timing on the suppression of weeds in soybean.
Compare weed dynamics in 2-, 3-, and 4-year crop rotations, with conventional and reduced rates of herbicides.
Directions: About 5 miles west of Ames on Hwy. 30 to the intersection with U Ave. (at United Community School and the ISU Agronomy Farm). South 1 mile on U Ave. to 240th St. West ½ mile. Field on north side of road.

Richard and Sharon Thompson
2035 190th St., Boone 50036
(515) 432-1560, dickandsharon@practicalfarmers.org
4:00 – 5:30 P.M.
The 300-acre farm is chiefly in 5-year and 6-year rotations. The farm also supports a cow-calf herd and, with son Rex and his wife Lisa, a farrow-to-finish hog operation.
Demonstrations: Thirty-eight years of ridge-till weed management with heavy manure applications but no broadcast herbicides or purchased fertilizers; corn variety trial; conventional vs. alternative soybean rust treatments (with Kathleen Delate, ISU Organics Program).
(The 2005 Thompson Research Report will be available for $15.)
Directions: The Thompson farm is 4 miles North of United Community School & the ISU Agronomy and Ag Engineering Farm. Or: Hwy. 30 to Hwy. 17. North on Hwy. 17 about 4 miles to Hwy. E-26. Go east 1½ miles. North side, two silos.

Sustainable Row Crops, Livestock, and Home Gardens

WED., AUG. 24 SOUTHWEST IOWA

With support from the Wallace Foundation for Rural Research and Development; the livestock, crops, and educational committees of the Neely-Kinyon Farm; ISU Extension; and the ISU Organics Program.
Neely-Kinyon Research Farm
2557 Norfolk Ave., Greenfield 50849
(515) 743-8412 (Adair County Extension office), krohrig@iastate.edu
Wayne and Margaret Neely donated their farm near Greenfield to the Wallace Foundation for use in research and demonstrations. The Neely-Kinyon Farm is one of several community satellite farms associated with the ISU Armstrong Research Farm.
Tours start and all other activities are at the building site.
Demonstrations: flax rotational study (± clover underseeding, ± compost 1 ); breeding corn for quality – comparing variety crosses; tillage intensity study; organic tofu soybean vs. organic low-linolenic acid soybean yields and economics; populations for organic azuki beans; rust sentinel plots in soybean and dry beans; organic vs. conventional crop rotations; Roundup® weed resistance; rye cover crop for green beans and peas; sweet corn organic ear worm control; grazing fall calves ± early spring coproduct creep feed; new forage crops – crabgrass to perennial ryegrass; alfalfa variety demonstration; unusual nut and fruit trees; the Iowa Learning Farm Project (ISU Extension with Randy Caviness, local cooperator).
4:00 P.M. Wagon tours start
6:00 P.M. Supper
7:00 – 8:00 P.M. Workshops and additional demos
Directions: From Greenfield, 2 miles south on Hwy. 25, ½ mile east on 260th St., ½ mile north on Norfolk Ave.

Organic Flax Production and Marketing

SAT., AUG. 27 NORTHWEST IOWA

In cooperation with the ISU Dept. of Agronomy, the ISU Extension Value-Added Ag Program, The ISU Organics Program, and Spectrum Organics.
Paul and Karen Mugge
6190 470th St., Sutherland 51058
(712) 446-2414, pmugge@midlands.net
1:00 – 4:00 P.M.
Paul Mugge’s degree in aerospace engineering from ISU led him to a job with the Boeing Company in Seattle, Washington, where he met his wife Karen. When Paul’s father retired from farming in 1975, the two decided to move to Iowa and farm. Paul’s love of engineering and the scientific method have made him one of PFI’s most enthusiastic and hard-working farmer-researchers. The Mugges raise corn, soybeans, and small grains in an organic rotation on their 320 acres of land near Sutherland. They also feed 2,500 isowean pigs a year.
Demonstrations: underseeding trial with overlay of different preceding crops; overview of ongoing flax research in Iowa (Margaret Smith, ISU Extension Value-Added; Mary Wiedenhoeft and Sarah Carlson, ISU Agronomy Dept.); results from the 2004 and 2005 organic flax experiments at the ISU Neely Kinyon and Crawsfordsville research farms (Kathleen Delate, ISU Organics Program).
Mark Schuett, American Natural Soy:
Clean-out report. What were the statistics for raw clean-out percent, for unthreshed bolls recovered, etc.?
Kelsey Hatcher, Spectrum Organics
Market report. What are marketing prospects? What are the prospects for the 2006 contracts?
Quality report. How is Iowa flax oil shaping up compared to, say, China and Canada? What can Iowa growers do to better meet the Spectrum specs?
Producer Roundtable: production tips, lessons learned.
Directions: Hwy. 10, 3 miles west of Sutherland, north side. Look for the PFI sign.

Low-Lin vs. Tofu Beans, Hybrids, Forage Tools, Finishing Beef

MON., AUG. 29 SOUTHWEST IOWA

Cosponsored by Asoyia LLC and The Iowa Forage and Grasslands Council (IFGC).
Ron and Dottie Dunphy
1758 Iris Ave., Creston 50801
(641) 782-4327, dunphyron@ll.net
Ron and Dottie operate a family farm partnership that includes 950 acres of crops and 450 acres of pasture. They finish hogs in confinement and maintain a cow-calf herd, finishing in a local feedlot and retaining ownership.
10:30 A.M. Corn variety comparison. Two hybrids from each of seven seed companies.
12:00 P.M. LIGHT LUNCH (courtesy of participating seed companies)
Lunchtime program: Darrell Busby (ISU Extension): Home-court advantages – distillers dry grains and the Tri-County Futurity.
1:30 P.M. (½ mile north) Organic soybeans – Where’s the best niche? Tofu variety (IA 3011) vs. low-linolenic fatty acid variety (IA 3017), productivity and economics. Is the “low-lin” soybean a competitive option for the organic grower compared to a tofu-type variety? Premiums and market availability currently favor the tofu varieties. Yields, staining, and cleanout requirements favor the low-lin option. This side-by-side trial will help settle the question.
2:30 P.M. Hay making equipment demonstration.
Directions: From Pole Rd. in Creston, 1 mile east on Hwy. 34 to Iris Ave. South ¼ mile on Iris. Look for signs.

The Conservation Security Program at Work

THURS., SEPT. 8 SOUTHWEST IOWA

In cooperation with the Land Stewardship Project (LSP). Cosponsored by Food Alliance Midwest.
Vic and Cindy Madsen
2186 Goldfinch Ave., Audubon 50025
(712) 563-3044, vcmadsen@metc.net
2:00 – 7:30 P.M.
Long-time PFI members Vic and Cindy Madsen were among the first to enroll in the Conservation Security Program (CSP) as residents of the East Nishnabotna watershed, one of only two Iowa watersheds selected in 2004. The Madsens operate a crop and livestock farm of about 300 acres, employing conservation measures that include permanent pasture, native plantings, delayed haying, and rotation of row crops with small grains and forages. The family grows certified organic corn and soybeans and raises hogs (marketed through Niman Ranch), sheep, and broiler chickens.
2:00 – 3:00 P.M. CSP overview: Madsens’ experience; PFI farmer survey (Traci Bruckner, Midwest Sustainable Agriculture Working Group); the CSP last year and today (local NRCS).
3:00 – 5:00 P.M. Field Tour – What the Madsens are doing for their CSP dollars with supporting presentations including: wildlife enhancements (NRCS); benefits of certification and financial help for certification and transitioning to organic (Ray Kirsch, Food Alliance Midwest); multiple benefits research (Caroline van Schaik, Land Stewardship Project); how another watershed is getting ready (Linda Dahl, Whitewater Watershed Project coordinator); economic returns; native prairie grasses; soil loss factors; crop rotations; nitrogen use.
5:00 – 5:30 P.M. The future of stewardship payments and how can I sign up?
5:30 – 6:30 P.M. Light meal of local foods.
6:30 – 7:30 P.M. Mini sessions: broiler chickens, straw-based pork, direct marketing food.
Directions: From Audubon Co-op, go past the hospital 1 mile south and 2 miles west Turn south on N-16 and go ¾ mile. East side.

ZJ Farm Tour and Celebration

SAT., SEPT. 10 EAST-CENTRAL IOWA
In cooperation with Farm-to-Family local foods festival and Slow Food.
Susan Jutz
5025 120th St. NE, Solon 52333
(319) 624-3052, zjfarm@ia.net
The 80-acre farm has multiple operations including: direct marketing of organically raised lambs from a 60-ewe flock; direct marketing of 40 organically raised hogs; on-farm production and direct sales to restaurants, CSA, and farmer’s market of homestead cheese from 20 milking does; principal partner and vegetable grower for 80 families in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids area; and organic crop production for on-farm livestock feed.
3:00 – 5:00 P.M. Farm tours
5:30 P.M. Potluck dinner (Bring table service, a main dish and a desert or beverage)
6:30 P.M. Square dancing with a caller and a “lively” band.
Directions: From Solon, 3 miles north on Hwy. 1, 3 miles east on 120th St. Large white house and barns beside road. Tenting space available.

Quality Corn, Crop Breeding for Farmers

SUN., SEPT. 11 CENTRAL IOWA
In cooperation with the ISU Department of Agronomy, the USDA ARS, and the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute. Cosponsored by the Seeds and Breeds Conference and the Iowa Network for Community Agriculture (INCA).
Full Circle Farm, hosted by Don Adams and Nan Bonfils
1579 P Ave., Madrid 50156
(515) 795-3288
2:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Nan and Don met on a mountain top in Kenya and have been farming their 300-acre operation near Ledges State Park in Boone County since 1993. Half of the farm is in timber and pasture, the balance in crop and forage – in transition to organic certification. Forage-fed beef is direct-marketed to appreciative customers, most within a 30-mile radius. In addition, Nan and Don direct-market firewood, organic vegetables, free-range eggs, and forage-fed lamb. They live with Don’s 94-year-old father Harold, who is still actively farming.
Demonstrations: Organic breeding project nursery. Projects include: new breeding crosses made for protein quality and quantity; white corn breeding materials; simultaneous selection in organic and in conventional systems; seed quality breeding using screened, white, high-protein lines; demonstration of breeding progress in various populations. Seeds and Breeds – What does it mean for agriculture? (Kendall Lamkey, ISU Agronomy Dept.) Hayride farm tour (optional).
Directions: From Hwy. 30, about 3 miles south on Hwy. 17; then about 3 miles west on 250th Street, following signs to the Ledges State Park. Turn south on P Ave. at the Park. Pavement runs out after ½ mile; continue ¼ mile on gravel. Please park vehicles on east side of road across from metal building. From Madrid, go north on Hwy. 17, past Luther, to 250th Street; turn west to the Ledges Park; turn south to the farm.

Grazing as Cost-Effective Conservation

SAT., SEPT. 24 SOUTHEAST IOWA

In cooperation with the ISU Agronomy Dept., the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, and Green Lands, Blue Waters. Cosponsored by the Iowa Environmental Council (IEC) and the Iowa Forage and Grasslands Council (IFGC).
Linda and Ron Grice
PO Box 86, South English 52335.
(319) 667-2350, agricol@netins.net
1:00 – 4:00 P.M.
Linda Grice farms 1,000 acres of pasture, corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and small grains. A rotational grazing system of 27 paddocks on 440 acres supports 150 beef cow-calf units. The beef and crops are marketed as certified organic.
Demonstrations: land use and streambank erosion study (Tom Isenhart, ISU Forestry Dept.); long-term trends in Midwest soil quality (Rick Cruse, ISU Agronomy Dept.); Green Lands, Blue Waters – getting perennials on the landscape (John Sellers Jr., coordinator, Iowa Grassland Agriculture Program, Leopold Center); economic comparison of row crop, grazing, and grazing/organic systems; cost-effective grazing; pasture walk.
Directions: Follow Hwy. 22 through South English. In the town of South English, follow Monroe St. south. Monroe Street turns into 270th Ave., a gravel road. Follow 270th Ave. 3 miles south to 170th St. Turn right (west) on 170th St. and go 1½ miles to the first house on the right.

Breeding and Selecting Corn for Quality

TUES., SEPT. 27 NORTHEAST IOWA

In cooperation with the USDA ARS, the ISU Agronomy Dept., and the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute.
Mike Natvig and Amy Miller
20074 Timber Ave., Cresco 52136
(563) 569-8358, northriver@iowatelecom.net
1:00 P.M.
Mike and Amy farrow-to-finish 400-450 hogs per year on pasture organically. Their beef herd of 42 cows has been in an intensive rotational grazing system since 1988 using prairie-oak savannah pastures. The farm also now includes a small-scale vegetable operation. For a number of years Mike has grazed and cropped land on the neighboring Borlaug farm, the boyhood home of Nobel Prize-winning plant breeder Norman Borlaug.
Demonstrations and Discussions:
Performance and protein level of experimental hybrids.
Comparing variety crosses. Breeding crosses between elite inbred lines and high-yielding exotic populations with good grain quality were crossed with each of three breeding crosses that have been the source of useful inbred lines.
Amino acid levels in high-protein variety crosses in conventional and organic production systems.
Repeat performance? Comparing the highest yielding materials from the 2004 evaluation trial.
Directions: From Protivin take V-58 (Willow Ave.) 1-plus miles north and west. Where the highway turns north again, continue west 2 miles on 200th St. to Unity Ave. Field on the northeast corner of the intersection. Look for signs.

Corn Harvest Festival, Alternative Swine

SAT., OCT. 1 NORTHEAST IOWA

In cooperation with the USDA ARS, the ISU Agronomy Dept., the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program, USDA .
Gary Laydon and Pat Mennenga
1609 130th St., Plainfield 50666
(319) 276-4613
Gary and Pat farm 140 acres of diverse crops using Belgian draft horses for many of the farming operations. They also market hogs through Niman Ranch® and train work horses.
1:00 P.M., at the farmstead. External, wood-fired heater for farrowing barn (with support from the SARE Farmer Rancher Grant Program); update on the SARE Research Alliance for Farrowing project.
2:30 – 3:00 P.M. Horse-drawn wagon rides to the field.
3:00 P.M., at the field site. Breeding corn for quality; corn variety trial. Pigs on pasture; pasture hut designs.
3:30 – 6:00 P.M. Hand corn picking “tryouts.” Pitch in and see how you do harvesting a corn variety that’s especially adapted to hand picking.
6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Hog roast and bonfire.
Directions: From New Hampton, take Hwy. 63 S. to Hwy. 188. West 5 miles to Garden Ave., then 1 mile north on Garden. Farmstead is on the corner.