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Beginning and Aspiring Farmer Bus Tour
Tuesday, July 2 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Hop on the bus with other beginning and aspiring farmers to tour and learn from three different horticulture farms in the greater Iowa City area. Each farm on the tour is a trainer farm in PFI’s Labor4Learning program, providing aspiring farmers with employment and additional training on how to run a farm business. Grow your peer network while touring three unique farms and learning about specific business management practices at each one.
This tour is intended for aspiring farmers – those who want to farm in the future – and beginning farmers who have been farming for five years or less.
HOSTS:
Emma and Marcus Johnson | Buffalo Ridge Orchard | Topic: Enterprise budgets
Donna Warhover | Morning Glory | Topic: Task management for employees and volunteers
Derek Roller | Echollective Farm | Topic: Scaling up
THE FARMS:
Buffalo Ridge Orchard was started with the first planting of apple trees in 2003. This marked the transition from a conventional grain farm to one producing local fruits and vegetables. In addition to their high-density apple orchard, the Johnsons grow pears and vegetables for different CSA options, farmers markets and direct wholesale. They raise produce in two moveable high tunnels, and in 2019, added a new packing shed and farm store.
Donna and Bill Warhover launched their farm, Morning Glory, in 2013. They grow vegetables and herbs, and host community and learning events throughout the year. Donna and Bill market their produce through a CSA, farmers markets, restaurants and the food service industry. New this year, they have added a food truck serving food grown on the farm.
Derek Roller began Echollective farm as a small garden in 2000, and has since expanded to 51 acres producing vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers. Products are marketed through a CSA, local restaurants, farmers markets and retail outlets. Flowers are gown for local florists, and seed garlic is sold across the northern United States.
DETAILS:
Ames Departure: The bus will leave at 7:30 a.m. from Practical Farmers of Iowa’s office (1615 Golden Aspen Drive, Suite 101).
Central City Pick-Up Location: Those in eastern Iowa are welcome to meet us at Buffalo Ridge Orchard (1337 Rollins Road), our first stop on the tour. We’ll listen to the program there, then you can hop on the bus to finish the tour.
Return: We will return to Buffalo Ridge Orchard by 5 p.m. to drop off eastern Iowa guests, and will get back to Ames by about 7:30 p.m.
MEAL INFORMATION
Lunch will be provided by the Morning Glory Food Truck. Please RSVP by clicking the blue button below.
The event is free, but RSVP’s are required because seating is limited.
2019 Field Day Sponsors
A Level
B Level
