Ames, Iowa — An Iowa-based group that aims to help farmers practice a form of agriculture that benefits both the land and the people is working to recruit new members, especially in northwest Iowa.
Practical Farmers of Iowa agronomist Sarah Carlson says the issue of water quality is one key area where they’ve determined they can start discussions with potential members.
She says striving to control soil loss and preventing nitrates from entering the water table are important concerns for Iowa growers.
Some of the older concepts are still very much workable, especially with precision agriculture, which Carlson says has led to a new term, precision conservation.
She says cover crops are another topic where PFI can start conversations with farmers. Founded in 1985, Practical Farmers of Iowa is a non-profit organization seeking to connect farmers with farmers to share what they are learning in their own fields to make their operations better.
