Field Days & Workshops
Farmer-to-Farmer Learning in Action
Learning and Growing Together
We know that farmers learn best from each other. Partners across the state are working to support farmers, from annual conferences like the Indiana Small Farm Conference, Black Loam, and the Indiana Grown Symposium, to one-on-one farm visits led by Urban Soil Health. PIFF is contributing to this suite of support by gathering folks for farmer-to-farmer learning.
For Farmers, By Farmers
The topics will vary based on what farmers and allies around the state ask us to present but we'll always focus on two main topics: (1) the nuts and bolts of production and (2) farm viability.
The Nuts & Bolts of Production
Our field days and farmer gatherings provide hands-on, farmer-led programming, often showing how 2-3 different farmers tackle something from start-to-finish. We dive into the nuts and bolts of specific production techniques Keys to success:
These events get specific! Example: Instead of a one-off field day about high tunnels in general, that only scratches the surface, we'll co-host a 7-part series that covers everything from varieties to market analysis.
We choose presenters who can be open and honest about what's working and what's not yet....AND we ensure that each presenter knows their audience.
We actively recruit and feature speakers that bring diversity in terms of scale, experience levels, race, gender, geography, and more.
We avoid loads of slides and "talking heads"
Good food is a MUST.
Stretch goal for the future: Provide mechanisms for follow-up after the event, and build toward ongoing learning communities.
Farm Viability: Business & Finances
We’re Midwesterners, so we don’t always like to talk about money - but it’s critical to have frank, open conversations about farm finances and business development. PIFF wants to make these conversations normal, hopeful, and regular…because we can only keep farming if we can make a living farming.
We’re integrating farm viability discussions into all of our field days and workshops, and hosting some field days focused entirely on this topic. Check out our Upcoming Events, as well as our Resources Page for tutorials, webinars, and books to spur the farm viability conversation on your farm.
Instructions for Visiting Farms with Livestock
Many of farms that host Field Days raise a variety of livestock. Best practices to avoid cross-contamination are particularly important now due to the high prevalence of Bird Flu, or Avian Influenza (H5N1).
To reduce the risk of cross-contamination and spread of disease, we ask that all attendees:
Wear shoes or boots that have not been worn on other farms with livestock or livestock buildings, or around a dense population of wild birds.
Wear clean clothes that have not been worn around other livestock.
You may be asked to clean and disinfect shoes or boots in a phenol or similar solution or we'll provide you with plastic shoe covers to wear for the duration of the field day.