CSIF Conference to Help Iowa Farm Families Grow Successfully

12-16-2013 in Events

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA – December 16, 2013 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) is hosting its ninth annual Farming for the Future conference to help livestock farm families grow existing farms, better manage risk, and look at the financial feasibility of raising livestock today. The conference will be held January 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Iowa State Center’s Scheman Building in Ames.

The “Farming for the Future Conference: Emerging Opportunities in Livestock Production” is designed to help livestock farmers successfully and responsibly grow their farms, better understand ways to mitigate risk, develop marketing strategies for their commodities and help young people return to the farm.  Dr. David Kohl, Professor Emeritus at Virginia Tech will provide an overview of the global economic impact livestock agriculture has on the state of Iowa; Moe Russell of Russell Consulting Group will offer insight into the financial feasibility of raising livestock today; Jim Knuth with Farm Credit Services of America will explain how the lending process works for new livestock projects and Chad Hart with Iowa State University will detail ways to mitigate risk on the farm.

“The Coalition received a record number of inquiries from livestock farmers over the past year, many from young people wanting to get into farming, but weren’t sure of what opportunities were available to them” said Brian Waddingham, executive director of CSIF.  “This year’s ‘Farming for the Future Conference’ is designed to provide Iowa’s livestock farmers with innovative ideas they can implement on their own farm and the tools necessary to make successful, economically beneficial decisions that will have a positive impact on their bottom line.”

There will also be a panel of livestock farmers who have developed innovative on-farm enterprises to improve the success of their operations.  Topics will include calving under roof, on-farm dairy processing, and custom and niche pork production.  The panelists will candidly share why they made the decision to change and the impact it’s had on their farm.  For a complete agenda and to meet the farmers on the panel click here.

Registration, including a complimentary lunch, is free if completed by Jan. 13. A $20.00 fee will be charged for registrations after Jan. 13. For more information about the conference or to register, visit www.supportfarmers.com/conference or call 1-800-932-2436.  Space is limited so register today.

The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers was created by farmers to help farmers raise livestock successfully and responsibly.  It’s a joint partnership involving the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Turkey Federation and Midwest Dairy Association.

The non-profit, non-partisan organization provides assistance to farmers at no cost.  CSIF does not lobby or develop policy.  Farm families wanting a helping hand can contact the Coalition at 1-800-932-2436.

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