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3-state tour of sustainable systems





TEAMWORK TOUR:  FARMING SYSTEMS AND LEARNING APPROACHES

Monday Tuesday, July 1-2, 1996
Southeast Minnesota, Northeast Iowa, Southwest Wisconsin

For additional information:
IA:  515-294-1923 Rick Exner
MN:  612-625-0220 Helene Murray
WI:  608-262-5201 Richard Klemme

A TEAMWORK TOUR?
A three-state sustainable agriculture "Teamwork Tour" of
northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and southwest Wisconsin
is set for July 1-2, 1996, sponsored by agricultural
universities and farm groups.  This bus tour will focus on
innovative farms and successful team building involving
producers and information providers.  Participants will see
cutting-edge technologies in use on farming systems that
support the farm family and the community and that sustain
the environment.

The tour will feature examples of teamwork-based
opportunities to achieve common goals.  The two-day event
will cover beautiful country in the tri-sate area, include
great locally-produced foods, and offer the opportunity for
making new acquaintances in a relaxed setting.  Reserve your
place now for this unique learning experience.

Scholarships for tour expenses of up to $150 per person will
be awarded to the first three dozen farmer-information
provider pairs to register for the tour.  Who is an
"information provider?"  The term includes personnel in the
Extension Service, the USDA, state departments of
agriculture and state DNRs as well as lenders,
veterinarians, consultants and others who work with
producers.  By attending together, farmers and their
information providers will strengthen local teams.

TOUR ITINERARY
Departure: meet the bus at 9:00 am, Monday, July 1, leaving
>from  La Crosse, Wisconsin

Art and Jean Thicke farm, La Crescent, Minnesota
   Participants will tour the intensive rotational grazing
      system and learn how the Thickes take advantage of
      seasonal grass growth in their dairy operation
   The Monitoring Project, a farmer-initiated effort that
      has drawn together producers and scientists from the
      University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of
      Natural Resources, the Minnesota Department of
      Agriculture, and other agencies
   Lunch includes locally-raised meat and produce

Jim Hageman farm, Calmar, Iowa
   Fourth year of rotational grazing for dairy
   Winneshiek County organization for pasture walks
   Northeast Iowa Pasture Walks Network - agencies and
      farmers working together

Northeast Iowa Community College
   Barbecue served by the Winneshiek County Pork Producers
      at Northeast Iowa Community College
   Evening "process" workshop will be facilitated by Don
      Broshar, ISU Extension Organizational Development
      Specialist

Tom and Irene Frantzen farm, Alta Vista, Iowa
   Annual and perennial crops and livestock, tightly
      integrated utilizing rotational grazing for hogs and
      beef cattle and a variety of other high-management
      techniques
   Why producers should take charge of their information
      needs and relate actively to information providers
   Lauren Christian, Distinguished Professor of Animal
      Science, ISU: research on low-investment hog
      production, including outdoor and deep-bedded systems

Harmony Valley Farm: Richard de Wilde and Linda Halley,
Viroqua, Wisconsin
   Lunch includes locally-raised meat and produce
   50-acre operation that sells organically raised fruits
      and vegetables as far away as the Chicago terminal
      market.  Learn how the many different crops are grown
      and processed on the farm
   Community supported agriculture project (CSA) that
      involves more than 200 families.  For a season of
      weekly grocery baskets and a newsletter keeping them
      in touch with the farm, CSA members pay a flat rate
   John Hendrickson, Research Assoc., Center for Integrated
      Ag Systems: CSAs in the Midwest
   Special informational needs that stem from the farm's
      production and marketing

Return: 5:00 pm, July 2, to departure site in La Crosse, Wisconsin

REGISTRATION DEADLINE JUNE 7
Registration for the Teamwork Tour is $100 per person and
covers bus transportation, four meals, lodging (double room)
on July 1, and a conference notebook of supplemental
information.  Registration deadline is Friday, June 7.
Later registration is on a space-available basis only and
costs $130.  Return this form with $100 ($130 late) payment
to: Northeast Iowa Community College, Continuing Education,
Box 400, Calmar, IA, 52132.  For registration information:
800-728-2256 ext 219.

Teamwork Tour: Farming Systems and Learning Approaches

Name: ______________________________________________________

Farmer/Organization/Business: ______________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________

State, Zip Code: ___________________________________________

Telephone, e-mail: _________________________________________

Scholarships of up to $150 per person, reimbursable from
receipts, are available to "teams" of a farmer and an
information provider attending together.  If you are
applying for a scholarship, who is your "teammate?"

Teammate: __________________________________________________

*******************************************************************
Rick (Derrick N.) Exner
                PFI Farming Systems Coordinator
                ISU Extension / Practical Farmers of Iowa

2104 Agronomy Hall, ISU, Ames, IA  50011
(515) 294-1923, -9985 fax
e-mail: dnexner@iastate.edu