Audubon, IOWA – Join Vic and Cindy Madsen, Audubon, and professional fence builder Jason Schmidt, Battle Creek, as he leads participants in erecting a new high-tensile fence on the Madsens’ farm. Practical Farmers of Iowa invites you to this hands-on workshop, where you will gain the knowledge and skills to install similar fencing on your farm. Also learn more about rotational grazing systems from NRCS Grasslands Specialist Rick Sprague at the field day, which is to be held Saturday, July 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and ending with supper.  

The event, Hands-on Fantastic Fencing for Great Grazing, will be held at the Madsen farm, located at 2186 Goldfinch Ave., Audubon, IA 50025. If you plan to attend, please contact Kevin Dietzel, Practical Farmers of Iowa, 515.232.5661 or email Kevin at kevin@practicalfarmers.org by 7/7/11.  “Hopefully everyone who attends will pick up a fencing or grazing tip that will be a help to them on their farms,” says field day host Vic Madsen. 

The Madsens have a 275-acre mixed-crop and livestock farm that is approximately 65 percent organic and 35 percent conventional. Their livestock are raised without antibiotics or hormones. They market some of their livestock directly to customers. A small aronia berry planting was put in 2008 to diversify income. 

Directions to the farm:

From Hwy. 71 in Audubon, go 2 blocks west at the West Central Co-op bin site. Take a left by the east side of the hospital and go 1/2 mile south. The road curves west, continue west for 2-1/2 miles to the end of the pavement. Then turn left on Goldfinch and go 3/4 mile south on gravel. The farm is on the left. 

Practical Farmers of Iowa and its members will be hosting more than 30 field days in 2011. Most field days are free, and everybody is welcome to all of them. For a copy of the 2011 Field Day Guide, you can call the PFI office at 515.232.5661 or down load a printable PDF at http://practicalfarmers.org/events/field-days.html.  

It takes many sponsors to make these field days possible. Practical Farmers of Iowa recognizes the following sustaining sponsors: Albert Lea Seedhouse, American Natural Soy, Iowa Farmers Union, ISU Extension, Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), Seed Savers,  USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), and the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, in addition to the following major sponsors: Iowa Forage and Grassland Council, Midwest Organic Services Association (MOSA), CROPP Cooperative of Organic Valley/Organic Prairie Family of Farms and Iowa State University Wallace Chair for Sustainable Agriculture. 

Founded in 1985, Practical Farmers of Iowa is an open, supportive and diverse organization of farmers and friends of farmers, advancing profitable, ecologically sound and community-enhancing approaches to agriculture through farmer-to-farmer networking, farmer-led investigation and information sharing. Farmers in our network produce corn, soybeans, beef cattle, hay, fruits and vegetables, and more. For additional information, call 515.232.5661 or visit www.practicalfarmers.org. 

(PFI Press Release)