(Ames) Dave and Meg Schmidt, farmers from Exira, were among seven recipients of the Master Researcher Award presented by Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) in recognition of their significant contributions to on-farm research and knowledge-sharing over the years.
The Schmidts raise various livestock, including cattle, pigs, sheep, and chickens, and they also keep honeybees. Since 2012, they have conducted 21 research trials covering topics such as grazing cover crops and soil health in grazed Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land.
“These members demonstrate the spirit of curiosity that fuels PFI,” says Stefan Gailans, PFI’s senior research manager. “Through their commitment to on-farm research and the sharing of their findings, these farmers are not only improving their own operations but also assisting others in adopting science-based practices.”
The Master Researcher Award was established in 2013 to honor individuals who have completed at least 20 on-farm research trials through PFI’s Cooperators’ Program and have hosted a minimum of five field days with PFI.
This award is one of PFI’s highest honors. It recognizes the countless hours recipients invest in research and their generosity in sharing knowledge by welcoming others to their farms.
“PFI’s support of on-farm research provides the structure and scientific rigor that allows us to generate legitimate, actionable information about our growing systems and helps us identify pathways toward better practices,” says Jill Beebout, another award recipient.
Since the Cooperators’ Program began in 1987, over 300 farmers have conducted a total of 1,723 research trials on a wide range of topics, including field crops, horticulture, livestock management, grazing, and wildlife habitat. For more information about PFI’s farmer-led research, visit practicalfarmers.org/farmer-led-research. To explore PFI’s free research reports, visit practicalfarmers.org/research.
From left to right: Meg Schmidt, Dave Schmidt, Rob Faux, Jill Beebout, Jack Boyer, and Dick Sloan (Tammy Faux not pictured).
