Iowa Farmer Today
06-10-06
PFI to continue focusing on mid-sized farmers
By Tim Hoskins, Iowa Farmer Today
Teresa Opheim in February took over as executive director of Practical Farmers
of Iowa (PFI). She succeeded Richard Karp as head of the Ames-based group.
Opheim worked for the Public News Service, which supplies news about
sustainable ag to radio stations. She was executive director for the Midwest
Sustainable Agriculture Working Group and was communications director for the
Iowa Environmental Council.
Q: What surprises have you had in your job with PFI?
Opheim: I have been surprised at the respect for PFI by various organizations.
I have gotten a lot of requests to meet with people since taking over the job as
executive director. That has been part of various efforts. I was also surprised by
the good and close working relationship with Iowa State University, the
Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University
Extension Value-Added Agriculture Program and the dean. That took years
and years to make happen.
Q: What changes or improvements would you like to make to PFI?
Opheim: We will continue to focus on the mid-sized farmer. That is our core
member. We are very focused on profitability on the farm. It is a critical point for
the mid-sized farmer. I have an environmental background. So, we might focus
more on a program for example, the CSP (Conservation Security Program), for
our farmers.
Q: Wal-Mart recently announced it will begin to offer organic products. What is
the feeling about this?
Opheim: It is exciting the demand is there. However, one of the concerns is we
want to make sure the farmer maintains a good price for their products. Will they
(Wal-Mart) pay the price for organic products? We also want to make sure
organic standards are maintained.
Q: How does sustainable agriculture fit into the energy part of agriculture?
Opheim: We are starting to explore that. One thing we are doing is the on-farm
energy efficiency audit. A lot of our farmers do not have high-energy systems.
For example, some use hoop houses for livestock to reduce energy costs.
Q: With the excitement over biofuels, what are the opportunities for PFI or
sustainable farmers to grow an energy crop?
Opheim: A lot of our farmers still grow corn. Therefore, they will benefit from
higher use of ethanol. However, there is at least one farmer growing switchgrass
on his farm. I don’t know of many others. However, many of our farms are
diversified and will able to take advantage of another crop in their rotation. We
are starting to explore that. I don’t think that (energy opportunities) has been a
priority for PFI in the past. Our first step is the energy audit. We are thinking
about an energy workshop.
Q: What other issues are facing PFI and the sustainable agriculture?
Opheim: We would like to see the CSP fully funded. Other issues include a
value-added grants program and tapping into new markets and reviving our rural
communities. We have a plan to expand our youth programs. Young adults in
sustainable agriculture should learn grant-writing and develop a culture and
sense of community for those that choose to stay in Iowa and farm.
We are expanding our buy fresh, buy local campaign. This year, our newest
directory will be released for Humboldt. That brings the total to eight. The other
buy fresh, buy local directories are: Des Moines, Iowa City, Fairfield, the Decorah
area, the Quad Cities and Cedar Falls/Waterloo.
I think it is an exciting time for the buy fresh, buy local because people want the
convenience of food and connect to the farm with food raised by someone they
know.