Missouri’s Monroe City. The 2025 field day season of Practical Farmers of Iowa is open to farmers, landowners, and farmers’ friends. From June through November, more than 60 farmer-led events are taking place throughout Iowa and neighboring states this year. In order to help others learn and expand their own operations, PFI farmer members who are willing to share their expertise, discoveries, failures, and triumphs lead all events.
“There is something for everyone at a PFI field day, regardless of whether you are just starting out or have been farming for decades, or if you farm 2 acres or 2,000,” said Liz Kolbe, PFI’s farmer-led education director, in a press release.
On Thursday, August 14, from 4 to 6 p.m., Tim Gottman of Monroe City will host a Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) field day at 1819 State Highway C, Monroe City.
Since 1989, Tim Gottman and his brother Trent have farmed 2,400 acres of soybeans, wheat, corn, and cover crops on their Marion County, Missouri, row crop farm. He was born and reared on a farm, and he still farms with his kids and grandkids. About 65% of Tim’s acres are planted with cover crops, and he intends to keep doing so. He claims that cover crops increase the farm’s profitability by preserving his soil and fertilizer in his fields. On Tim’s farm, the adoption of cover crops is fueled by land stewardship and positive yields. However, he encourages each farmer to determine how cover crops fit into their operations and goals.
Gottman will lead an engaging conversation about the advantages he has observed in his operation as well as how and why he employs cover crops on his farm.
Attendance at PFI field days is free and available to everyone; Practical Farmers of Iowa membership is neither expected nor necessary. A friendly environment, an attitude of interest, a mutually respectful culture, and farmers freely sharing their expertise and experience are characteristics of events.
Rain or sunny, everything happens. RSVPs are encouraged to assist with event and lunch planning, but they are not necessary for the majority of field days. The whole schedule of activities can be found at practicalfarmers.org/field-days, along with more details regarding PFI field day logistics and policies.
You can RSVP for this event by calling PFI at 515-232-5661 or by visiting https://practicalfarmers.org/events/field-days/2025-field-days/fitting-cover-crops-into-a-farm.
