PFI RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Rick Exner, PFI’s farming systems coordinator traveled to Washington D.C. in April to accept an award, on behalf of PFI and ISU, from Renew America. As the program notes for the ceremony explain “Renew America’s 2000 National Awards for Environmental Sustainability honor those who have seized the opportunity to answer the question ‘What is possible?’ and with their inspiring work are helping to create a sustainable future for us all.”

PFI first took honors from Renew America in 1992 for its partnership with Iowa State University. This year it was selected from award winners of the past decade. Again, from the program notes, “By taking sustainable agriculture out of the university research departments and into the fields of working Iowa farms, the PFI-ISU partnership is showing how farmers can reduce fertilizer and pesticide use, improve erosion control, maintain high yields and increase profitability. The key to the partnership’s success has been its ability to engage farmers across Iowa in hundreds of scientific field trials of alternative farming methods and farm field days... The partnership is making sustainable agriculture a reality in Iowa and in states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, where elements of the initiative are being replicated.”

PFI members can take special pride in this encore honor for our commitment to a collaboration that narrows the gap between university research and practical applications. Congratulations all around – to the Ph.D.’s, and to the post hole diggers.