Overview

Practical Farmers of Iowa is a member-based nonprofit that supports farmers by organizing farmer-led on-farm research, education, and technical assistance to build resilient farms and communities. Its programs work through field days, workshops, cost-share incentives for practices like cover crops and grazing infrastructure, and services such as land matching, mentorship for beginning farmers, and the Sustainable Agriculture Business Incubator (SABI), which helps agricultural entrepreneurs with business planning, coaching, and access to capital. The organization differs from many peers by its farmer-led governance (most board members are farmers), emphasis on practical on-farm research and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, and a broad member network that includes conventional and organic systems. Its goal is to improve economic viability and ecological sustainability of farms while strengthening rural communities.