Growing Positive Relationships with Neighbors: Allison Brown

07-06-2015 in Green Farmstead Partner

Growing Positive Relationships with Neighbors: Allison Brown

Allison Brown is one of several hog farmers in Wayne County, located in rural southeast Iowa. In 2014, Brown built her hog barn.

The site is located on a corner and had nothing blocking the wind. When she learned about the Green Farmstead Partner Program from her neighbors, her interest in planting trees grew.

Brown planted the trees for many reasons, including helping improve neighbor relations, acting as a windbreak, helping control odor and snow, and improving the overall aesthetics. She planted 113 Austrees and 33 Norway Spruce trees from Kelly Tree Farm of Clarence, which is part of the Green Farmstead Partner program. Kelly’s staff helped with their extensive experience in windbreaks and landscaping, and local FFA members helped Brown plant them.

“If it looks nice, why wouldn’t you do this?” Brown said. “It’s such a small investment for a big return.”

The once four-foot Austrees are now almost six to seven feet tall after just a few months.

“Several people have said the trees and farm look nice,” she said. She plans to add more on the other side of her barn.

Brown encourages other farmers considering a tree planting on a livestock or poultry farm to work with the Green Farmstead Partner Program to get access to the network of landscapers across the state to create a tree planting plan.

To learn more about the Green Farmstead Partner Program, or to get started on a tree planting for your farm, visit www.supportfarmers.com/greenfarms or call 800-932-2436.

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