Iowa farmers helping to train the next generation

May 10, 2017

14 farmers have signed up as mentors

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

Aspiring farmers in Iowa can be mentored by current producers as part of the Labor4Learning program facilitated by Practical Farmers of Iowa.

A total of 14 Iowa farmers signed up as program mentors. In its fifth year, the program acts as a way for tomorrow’s farmers to gain quality work experience with today’s growers, including such areas as field work and business management.

Cattle, grain, dairy and produce farmers are all looking for help as part of the program.

The mentors are well aware of the amount of information needed before an individual can decide to pursue a career in agriculture.

BartCo/iStock/Getty Images Plus

“…there’s so much you need to know,” Erik Sessions, owner of Patchwork Green Farm near Decorah, told KWWL. “And you can figure it out with a lot of stumbles, but if you’ve got some background from another helpful farmer … I think it makes a huge difference.”

The work is paid, and beginning farmers are eligible to attend Practical Farmers of Iowa conferences and participate in “farminars” geared towards their needs.

People considering a career in agriculture say the training experience is invaluable.

“It’s different from just being his worker for the season,” Emily Fagan, who helped on Sessions’ farm last year before starting her own, told KWWL. “I got to ask all the questions, and figure out details about starting your own farm and all the different facets about it.”

Anyone interested is encouraged to send a resume and three references directly to the farmer they wish to train with. Each farm listing has different start and end dates.

A full list of trainers can be found on the Practical Farmers of Iowa website.

Video: Sweetener Effects on Gut Health - Dr. Kwangwook Kim

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Kwangwook Kim, Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, discusses the use of non-nutritive sweeteners in nursery pig diets. He explains how sucralose and neotame influence feed intake, gut health, metabolism, and the frequency of diarrhea compared to antibiotics. The conversation highlights mechanisms beyond palatability, including hormone signaling and nutrient transport. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Receptors responsible for sweet taste are present not only in the mouth but also along the intestinal tract.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Kwangwook Kim / kwangwook-kim is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, specializing in swine nutrition and feed additives under disease challenge models. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from the University of California, Davis, where he focused on intestinal health and metabolic responses in pigs. His research evaluates alternatives to antibiotics, targeting gut health and performance in nursery pigs.