News Release For Immediate Release November 16, 2007

Contact: Sally Worley, Practical Farmers of Iowa, (515) 232-5661, [log in to unmask]

PFI ANNOUNCES ANNUAL 2008 CONFERENCE

DES MOINES- Consumers are expressing strong preferences about the kinds of food they want on their plates. Practical Farmers of Iowa's 2008 conference, “Come to the Table,” will feature farmers Doug Gunnink, Richard de Wilde, and Jeanne and Brent Hansen, leaders in supplying the "grass-fed", "organic," and "local" products that eaters are eager to get. The conference will be located at the Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines from January 11-12.

Doug Gunnink raises grass-fed beef at Dutch Mill Farms in Minnesota. He has founded the Gunnink Forage institute and educates people on a national level how to successfully raise grass-finished beef.

Richard de Wilde sells produce that he raises on 100 certified organic acres of land to a 1000-member community supported agriculture (CSA) in southwestern Wisconsin. Richard also markets his products to Dane County Farmer’s Market, retail grocers, and wholesale distributors.

Jeanne and Brent Hansen represent the Jay and Jeanne Hansen family, who operate Hansen Dairy in Hudson, Iowa. The Hansen’s market their products locally within a 25-mile radius of their farm. Jay and Jeanne farm land that has been in their family since 1861 along with their four sons.

Susan Jutz, facilitator for the keynote session, runs a 200-member CSA near Solon, IA. She also raises and markets lamb and pork. Susan is past-president of PFI.

PFI’s conference offers many interactive experiences, including opportunities for networking as well as round-table discussions, a coffee shop with Jim Gerrish, beef-forage systems expert, and workshops that encourage audience questions and discussion. Friday evening hosts a screening of King Corn and a social for PFI members and supporters. All meals at the conference, in PFI tradition, feature food raised in Iowa by PFI farmers.

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Friday Workshops:
Managing for Production and Health: New Resources for Niche Pork Farmers
Practically Farmers of Iowa: A Session Exclusively for Beginning Farmers
On Grazing: An Afternoon with Jim Gerrish
Sustainable Energy for Small and Mid-Sized Farms

Saturday Workshops:
Come to the Table: Roundtable Discussion on the Opening Panel
Iowa Food Cooperative Update: Linking Farmers to Consumers with Web-Based Ordering
The New Farm Bill: How Will it Affect PFI Farmers?
Soil Quality and Organic Farming
Finding Good Help: Making Fair and Just Connections with New Iowans
Efficiencies: Keys for Success in Ramping Up Your Vegetable Operation
Roundtable Discussions: Field Crops
Roundtable Discussions: Livestock
Iowa Artisan Foods: Learn and Taste!
Don’t Just Take CoverTake Charge: What to Do If You’re Hit by Crop Dusters
“U-Pick:” Send in ideas with registration and PFI will coordinate sessions to accommodate specific requests

Registration is due January 4^th. For more information about PFI’s 2008 Annual Conference, visit www.practicalfarmers.org or contact Cedar Johnson at (515)232-5661 or [log in to unmask]

PFI is a non-profit sustainable agriculture group dedicated to farming that is profitable, environmentally sound, and healthy for consumers and communities. Founded in 1985, PFI has over 700 farmer and non-farmer members throughout Iowa. For more information, call 515-232-5661 or visit www.practicalfarmers.org .

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