JAMAICA, Iowa — Tom Wind, who farms near Jamaica, will host a virtual field day with Practical Farmers of Iowa exploring how he’s working with neighbors to integrate livestock into his cropping system on Thursday, June 11, from 2:15-3:15 p.m.
The event – “Working With Neighbors to Integrate Livestock and Improve Soil” – is free to attend and will take place on Facebook Live. To join in, visit practicalfarmers.org/field-days and click the link found on the page for this event.
You do not need to be a PFI member or have a Facebook account to participate – but those without an account will not be able to comment or ask questions. The field day is sponsored by Premier 1 Supplies.
Tom’s goal is to improve the soil on the century farm he stewards with his wife, Sue. To do this, he has been working with neighbors Jim Funke, Jon Merrill and Conner Allender to integrate cattle, sheep and poultry into his cropping system in a variety of ways. They’ve been practicing management-intensive grazing for four years on selected areas.
During the field day, guests will see areas where unrolled hay bales were fed prior to cash crop planting and where stockpiled grazing took place. Attendees will also see how chickens follow cows, along with pictures showing where soils that were once poor have become productive again.
This event is part of Practical Farmers’ 2020 field day season, which includes more than 60 virtual events hosted by farmers located across the state, and beyond, on topics spanning the agricultural spectrum.
New this year, we have planned several event series that will let participants check in with certain farmer hosts throughout the season to learn about different facets of farm management. All of these events are free and offered a la carte: guests are welcome to attend all events in the series or pick the ones they’re most interested in.
Practical Farmers’ 2020 field days are supported by sustaining sponsors Albert Lea Seed; Barn2Door, Inc.; Grain Millers Inc.; Iowa Sustainable Ag Research and Education; Niman Ranch; Scoular; Sunderman Farm Management Co.; Trees Forever; USDA-NRCS; and Welter Seed and Honey Company, as well as several major sponsors, including: Bio Till; Center for Rural Affairs; Conservation Districts of Iowa; Farm Power Implements; Gandy Company; Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance; Iowa Farm Bureau Federation; Iowa’s Center for Agricultural Safety and Health; KWS Cereals; La Crosse Seed; Man@Machine; Organic Valley – CROPP Cooperative – Organic Prairie; Pipeline Foods; and Prairie Creek Seed.
— Practical Farmers of Iowa
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