Bus Trip to Joel Gruver’s WIU Organic Research Farm
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15 • Noon – 4 p.m.
Lunch prepared by a local Amish bakery
This free event is open to PFI members only. If you are
interested in going but are not currently a member, visit
practicalfarmers.org for membership information, call the
office at (515) 232-5661 or complete the membership
form on page 51 of this guide.
To register: Visit practicalfarmers.org or call (515) 232-
5661. You must register by Thursday, July 26. Seating on
the bus is limited, so reserve your spot early!
HOST:
Joel Gruver • Western Illinois University
WIU Organic Research Farm
Northwest corner of the junction of 20th Avenue and 20th
Street • Roseville, Illinois • 61473
[email protected] • wiu.edu/cbt/agriculture/farms/organic
DETAILS:
Ames Departure: The bus will leave at 7:30 a.m. from
Quality Inn & Suites Starlite Village Conference Center
(2601 E 13th St.). Note: Please park on the east or west
sides of the building, not in front.
Second pick-up location: A second pick-up spot in
east-central or southeast Iowa will be decided based on
registrants’ locations. The bus will leave from the second
pick-up location at 9:30 a.m.
Return: We will leave the farm a little after 4 p.m. and
should get back to Ames by around 8:30 p.m.
Meals: Lunch will be provided at the event. You are
welcome to bring your own food. There is space on the
bus for coolers. Snacks will be provided during the return
trip to Iowa.
THE FARM:
The WIU Organic Research Farm is a 77-acre site rented
for almost 30 years by Western Illinois University for
practical farm-scale agricultural research. The farm has
never been managed conventionally, and has been
certified organic since 2009. The farm’s main crops
include corn, soybeans, small grains, peas, sunflowers
and mixed hay. Recent research has focused on nutrient
management, weed management (with and without
tillage), cover crops and genetic evaluation.
EVENT QUESTIONS:
Stefan Gailans – [email protected] or
(515) 232-5661