Practical Farmers of Iowa Announces Annual Conference in Des Moines

Practical Farmers of Iowa has opened registration for its 2027 annual conference, a two-day event scheduled for January 8 and 9 in Des Moines.

The gathering, which Practical Farmers of Iowa reports will serve as a keystone event for farmer-to-farmer learning, is set to take place at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center. Over 1,000 attendees are expected to participate in the programming, which focuses on creative solutions and peer-led ideas for agricultural management.

This conference marks a key event for regional farmers. As farming operations face increasing pressure from fluctuating commodity markets, evolving environmental regulations, and technological shifts, the ability to share practical, field-tested knowledge becomes a critical economic lifeline. Unlike traditional academic seminars, this event emphasizes direct peer exchange, allowing producers to discuss the realities of modern farming without the filter of high-level theory.

The schedule is structured to provide both intensive technical learning and social networking. According to the event organizers, the conference includes more than 70 sessions led by a roster of over 100 speakers. Attendees can also access preconference short courses to dive deeper into specific topics before the main event begins.

Photo: cbs2iowa.com

The event is supported by a wide network of industry stakeholders. Practical Farmers of Iowa notes that over 90 sponsors and exhibitors will be present, providing a marketplace for the latest agricultural tools and services. The Center for Rural Affairs is also a proud sponsor of the conference.

The logistics for the two-day event are as follows:

Friday, Jan. 8: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 9: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, 833 Fifth Ave., Des Moines, Iowa.

Social interaction is built into the formal itinerary. The organizers have highlighted the PFI supper and cocktails as key components of the experience, alongside dedicated storytelling segments designed to facilitate connection between attendees.

For many in the agricultural sector, the “so what” of such a conference lies in the mitigation of risk. When a farmer learns how a neighbor successfully managed a specific soil health issue or transitioned to new equipment, it provides a blueprint that is often more reliable than a sales pitch. This type of organic knowledge transfer is what sustains rural economies during periods of volatility.

However, some critics of large-scale agricultural gatherings argue that such events can sometimes lean too heavily on established industry norms, potentially slowing the adoption of radical new technologies or conservation methods. Yet, the specific model used by Practical Farmers of Iowa—centering on farmer-to-farmer learning—is designed to counter this by prioritizing the lived experience of the producer over top-down instruction.

Registration costs and specific session details are available through the official event website at practicalfarmers.org.