Field Day Planned at Goedken Farm Near Hopkinton

A Hopkinton farm family will be hosting a Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) field day next Tuesday. 

The event will take place at the Tim Goedken farm – it’s free to attend and open to the public. 

In 1992, Tim Goedken had the chance to buy a farm and start his own dairy. Today, he and his grown daughters – Sarah, Tara and Courtney – together manage a dairy cattle herd of 200, along with 700 acres of conventional and organic crop ground and pasture. All three bring unique education and work experience, which they’re using to help implement new practices while carving out their roles for the long-term.

At Tuesday’s event, you’ll tour the dairy and crop ground, including their new calf barn. After the dairy tour, you’ll caravan a short distance to a field where the Goedkens are double-cropping rye with sorghum-sudangrass. With this practice, they are grossing $1,400 per acre between the rye seed, rye straw and sudangrass straw. The Goedkens know there is plenty to learn by visiting other farms; come with questions for a day at the dairy.

The event on Tuesday, August 19th will run from 10 am to noon at the Goedken Farm at 2856 Quarter Road near Hopkinton. RSVP by calling 515-232-5661.

photo provided