Nearly 60 farms in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin are opening their farm gates for another season of farmer-to-farmer learning.
Learn about a range of topics, from dairy grazing to poultry processing, developing infrastructure to diversifying operations, adding habitat to reducing inputs and more.
Field days are free and open to everyone.
Kittleson Brothers, owned by Steve Rachut, grows 30-plus acres each of onions and potatoes. Steve’s uncle, Ron Rachut, grows an additional 2 acres combined of each crop at nearby Fertile Valley Gardens. Steve and Ron each grow their crops primarily for wholesale markets. At this enterprise scale, production, handling, packing and marketing look different to most direct-market farms in Iowa. This field day will visit two sites. We’ll start at the Kittleson Farms site, at 3622 Dogwood Ave, to discuss machinery and crop fields, followed by lunch at noon. Then we’ll move to Fertile Valley Gardens, at 3551 Dogwood Ave., to see Ron’s vegetable handling and packing facility.
Growing, Processing and Marketing Onions and Potatoes for Wholesale Outlets
3622 Dogwood Ave. | Fertile, IA 50444Innovative Strategies for Diversifying a Row Crop Operation
2507 Quince Ave. | Corning, IA 50841Días de Campo: El Ciclo de una Operacion Caprina
Tama, IAOrganic U-Pick Blueberries and Day-Neutral Strawberries at Blueberry Bottom Farm
3316 Hwy 78 | Brighton, IA 52540Practical 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. Our programs are guided by the interests and priorities of our members.
Kate Edwards
Iowa City, Iowa
Ralph Gauer
Silver City, New Mexico
Rory Van Wyk
Winterset, Iowa
Dave Schmidt
Exira, Iowa
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