The Practical Farmers of Iowa will hold its annual meeting Jan. 24-25 at the Gateway Center.

Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to “farmers helping farmers make better decisions.” The organization’s mission is to promote farming systems that are profitable, ecologically sound and good for families and communities.

Friday’s schedule will feature in-depth workshops, highlighted by Michael Rozyne of New England nonprofit food broker Red Tomato.

Todd Kimm, communication specialist, said Friday’s expanded workshop schedule is a change from the past.

Saturday will include a keynote panel with Rozyne and Rick Schnieders, president and chief executive officer of SYSCO Corporation.

Robert Karp, executive director of PFI, said the workshops offer in-depth information on topics of interest to farmers, agriculture producers and consumers. “There’s something for everyone,” he said.

Karp said the workshops help farmers achieve the goals of sustainable agriculture.

“Farmers have to find new ways to stay profitable while being good conservationists,” Karp said.

Karp said sustainable agriculture is an approach to farming that recognizes the need for farmers to not only be profitable but also preserve and conserve natural resources and support the local communities.

“The main goal of the conference is to bring creative and innovative farming and ag professionals to share their knowledge, information and enthusiasm,” Karp said. “The event is unique because it brings together people willing to think outside the box.”

Rich Pirog, marketing and food systems program leader for the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State, will receive the PFI’s annual Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award.

“I was surprised and honored to receive the award,” Pirog said. “There are so many great people working in sustainable agriculture.”

The award is given to someone who has moved forward the sustainable agriculture movement Karp said.

Karp said Pirog was chosen because of his cooperation with a variety of organizations and his research.

Pirog said he has done support work to build relationships between the Leopold Center and other organizations.

“Relationships are the key to making any progress on the goals of sustainable agriculture,” Pirog said. He said he has worked hard to be a team player to achieve the goals of all the organizations he works with.

“Rich is brilliant at finding ways to bring organizations together,” Karp said.

Pirog has worked for the Leopold Center in Ames since 1990 and advised the Governor’s Food Policy Council, and also worked to move local and regional food across the state.

“He is one of the most important people in Iowa in promoting eating more food grown in Iowa,” Karp said.

Pirog has also investigated and written about food systems and worked to develop apple and grape production in Iowa.

“This has reminded people [that] Iowa grows more than just corn and soybeans,” Karp said.

The Sustainable Ag Award has been given out since 1989 to recognize people who have advanced the cause of profitable, environmentally sound farming in Iowa.

Karp encourages students to become involved. “This is a chance for students to realize alternative forms of agriculture,” he said.

The PFI conference costs $25 for non-PFI members and $15 for students.