Practical Farmers of Iowa will host its third annual Next Generation Summit virtually on Aug. 4, 5 and 7. The 2020 Next Generation Summit aims to connect aspiring and beginning farmers with current farmers and landowners.

With land access an increasingly daunting obstacle for beginning farmers in Iowa, PFI launched this event in 2018 to ignite dialogue, networking and greater understanding among beginning farmers, experienced farmers and landowners working toward farm succession.

The event is free and will feature three workshops — one for farmland owners, another for beginning and aspiring farmers, and a third designed for networking among all participants. Preregistration is requested by Aug. 3. You are welcome to attend the whole summit, or only the workshops that most interest you.

Workshop topics, speakers

Aug. 4. The Farm Succession Workshop will run from 2 to 4 p.m., led by Diana Tourney, an accountant and operations professional with the Clackamas Small Business Development Center. Farmland owners will work on setting goals that can help them in the process of creating a farmland legacy that reflects their values. They will also learn how to take the next steps to beginning the transition period when the time is right.

Aug. 5. The Getting Ready for Land Workshop will run from 5 to 7 p.m., led by Greg Padget, PFI’s next-generation director. Other speakers are Kate Edwards, of Wild Woods Farm near Iowa City; Hannah Breckbill, of Humble Hands Harvest near Decorah; and Amber Mohr, who farms with her family at Fort Tail Farm near Avoca. Aspiring and beginning farmers will walk through the process of setting goals and determining their farming purpose, as well as planning the next steps to acquiring farmland.

Aug. 7. The Farmland Access Connections session will run from 5 to 6 p.m. and will be filled with networking opportunities to meet aspiring farmers and landowners. The aim is to connect all the generations that make farming possible and support those from the next generation.

Full details on speakers and a link to sign up are at practicalfarmers.org/next-generation-summit. For questions about the 2020 Next Generation Summit, contact Greg Padget at 515-232-5661 or [email protected]. PFI works to equip farmers to build resilient farms and communities.

Source: PFI, which is responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and its subsidiaries aren’t responsible for any of the content contained in this information ass