Adding a New Generation to Iowa’s Sustainable Farms

Adding a new generation to Iowa’s sustainable farms is a timely and urgent challenge that needs to be addressed, as the decline in young farmers in recent years has been the most dramatic of the last century. This two-year project will help farmers who are transitioning the next generation onto the farm do so successfully and smoothly.

After interviewing a dozen families transitioning the next generation onto the farm we found that communication and financial planning were the biggest challenges they faced. This information produced these project objectives: 1) help at least 15 farm families or farmer/apprentice matches transition the next generation onto the farm effectively, with improved communication and a unified vision; 2) help at least 15 farm families or farmer/apprentice matches transition the next generation onto the farm profitably, with improved business/financial plans and possible new enterprises; and 3) help at least 200 farm families or farmer/apprentice matches transition the next generation onto the farm more effectively with the information they learn from others through case studies publicized by media outlets and available on our website, at field days, and the PFI Annual Conference sessions.

Contacts:
Teresa Opheim
Practical Farmers of Iowa
P.O. Box 349
Ames, IA 50010
teresa@practicalfarmers.org
515-232-5661 x 102

Cedar Johnson
Practical Farmers of Iowa
P.O. Box 349
Ames, IA 50010
cedar@practicalfarmers.org
515-232-5661 x 101