Winter farminars begin tomorrow

Sally Worley, of Practical Farmers of Iowa, sent the following on a series of webinars that begin tomorrow, Jan. 26, 2010:

 Practical Farmers of Iowa is excited to announce their winter lineup of online webinars, or “farminars.” Practical Farmers of Iowa has four farminars scheduled for this winter, beginning January 26. To register and participate in the farminars, visit www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar.

 Farmers have asked for more learning opportunities in the off-season, and farminars are a good vessel for sharing knowledge. You are able to communicate with and hear from others any place there is a computer connected to the internet. Chris Corbin, beginning farmer near Ames, participated in the first farminar series: “The farminars helped me learn about a diversity of topics from the seat of my home. You save time and money not having to travel to a meeting during winter in Iowa.” Farminars also open up the ability for people worldwide to participate in the meeting, not just those in the vicinity of the speaker.

 Practical Farmers of Iowa winter farminars are:

 Tuesday, January 26, 7:00-8:30 p.m., “Whole Farm Soil Planning” with Amber Anderson-Mba

• Learn how to use the online Web Soil Survey to access valuable soils information for your farm. Learn the best place to put perennials, annuals, and building structures. Amber grew up on a diverse farm in northwest Iowa. She is now a soils lecturer at Marshalltown Community College and staff for Iowa Farmers Union.

 Tuesday, February 2, 7:00-8:30 p.m., “Ramp Up Vegetable Production” with Martin Stosiek

• Martin Stosiek will provide a virtual tour of his farm while discussing areas where he has ramped up production and how he made decisions to scale up in these areas. Martin will also discuss his diverse market outlets. Martin and his wife Christa have operated Markristo Farm near Hillsdale, New York, since 1988. They produce a diverse crop of vegetables, cut flowers, and bedding plants on over 20 acres of certified organic land.

 Tuesday, February 9, 7:00-8:30 p.m., “Grow Vegetables Year-Round” with Adam Montri

• Adam Montri will discuss how you can grow year round with low technology high tunnels in a cold climate. Adam produces food all year at Michigan State University's Student Organic Farm and Ten Hen Farms, his home farm that he operates with his wife Dru. He will provide detailed crop schedules. Adam is Outreach Specialist for Michigan State University.

 Tuesday, February 16, 7:00-8:30 p.m., “Opportunities in Agroforestry” with Tom Wahl

• Tom Wahl will overview the potential for various high value tree crops suitable for Iowa's climate, including cultural practices, production, prices, markets, pests and diseases. Tree fruits to discuss include chestnut, persimmon, heartnut, paw paw, and more. Tom and his wife Kathy have grown high value tree crops since 1986 and also operate a small tree nursery.

 Practical Farmers of Iowa will offer a series of four spring farminars beginning March 2. The spring series will offer participants a “Fish Bowl” view of a beginning farmer learning from an experienced farmer. More details will be released about the spring series as the dates approach.

 Did you miss the fall farminar series? All archived farminars are available online at www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar.

 Practical Farmers of Iowa's winter 2010 farminars are made possible by funding from the Ceres Foundation, the Wallace Genetic Foundation, the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, and individual donors to our Next Generation Campaign.

 Practical Farmers of Iowa includes a diverse group of farmers and nonfarmers. Corn, soybeans, beef cattle, and hay are the top enterprises for PFI farmers, although many have a variety of other operations, including fruits and vegetables. b. For more information, call 515-232-5661 or visit

www.practicalfarmers.org.