VAN METER, Iowa—Practical Farmers of Iowa will host its second annual Next Generation Summit on Sunday, Aug. 4, from 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., at the Veterans Reception Center in Van Meter, located at 910 Main St.
With land access an increasingly daunting obstacle for beginning farmers in Iowa, Practical Farmers of Iowa launched this event as a way to ignite dialogue, networking and greater understanding among beginning farmers, experienced farmers and landowners working toward farm succession.
The event is free, and will feature two workshops – one for beginning and aspiring farmers, another for farmland owners – that are meant to help participants better understand their goals and farm visions. The afternoon will also feature ample opportunities for conversation and networking. Registration is required by Wednesday, July 31. Sign up online at practicalfarmers.org/next-generation-summit, or contact Debra Boekholder at debra@practicalfarmers.org or (515) 232-5661.
“Beginning farmers in our network have identified access to farmland as one of their greatest barriers to starting a farm,” says PFI Next Generation Director Greg Padget. “Sixty percent of farmland in Iowa is owned by people 65 years or older, and 35% of farmland is owned by people 75 or older.”
“The goal for this summit is to connect all the generations that make farming possible, and to bring them together in a meaningful way to address the challenge of farmland access. We want to foster constructive conversations and new connections that can begin to break down farmland access barriers.”
Greg will lead the workshop for beginning and aspiring farmers, during which participants will walk through the process of determining their farming purpose and planning next steps.
In the workshop for farmland owners, Madeline Schultz, manager of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Women in Agriculture Program, will work with participants on setting goals that can help them move toward a farmland legacy reflecting their values. They will also learn how to take the next steps to start the transition process when the time is right.
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Practical Farmers of Iowa works to equip farmers to build resilient farms and communities. Our values include: welcoming everyone; farmers leading the exchange of experience and knowledge; curiosity, creativity, collaboration and community; resilient farms now and for future generations; and stewardship of land and resources. To learn more, visit http://practicalfarmers.org.
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