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Ose Family to Receive November Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award
West Des Moines, Iowa – November 18, 2013 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) commends the Ose family of Hamilton County for their outstanding efforts as a neighbors and community leaders. They have been named the November recipients of the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will present...
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Talking Turkeys and Trees: The Olthoffs
There’s a proverb that says, “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is today.” It’s a message that Bart and Katie Olthoff have taken to heart in a big way. When the Olthoffs wanted to enhance their turkey farm south of Stanhope, they found an eco-friendly, practical...
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CSIF Webinar Helps Livestock Farmers Prepare for DNR Inspections
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – November 15, 2013 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) is pleased to offer an archived version of its webinar to help Iowa’s livestock and poultry farmers prepare for on-site inspections of their farms. The webinar explains the EPA Region 7 and Iowa DNR “Work Plan Agreement” and its impact...
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CSIF Tips of the Month – November 2013
Rules and Regs Highlight Changes to NRCS Nutrient Management Practice Standard The Iowa NRCS has updated its nutrient management standard, called the 590 standard, which is generally required for participating in federal conservation cost-share programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The revised standard treats commercial fertilizer and manure...
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Experts to Discuss the Region 7 EPA and Iowa DNR Work Plan
WEST DES MOINES, IA – October 31, 2013 — The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) is offering a webinar for livestock and poultry farmers to explain the impact of the EPA Region 7 and Iowa DNR “Work Plan Agreement” on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 12:00 p.m.. – 1:15 p.m. The work plan agreement was...
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NRCS Changes 590 Standard
The Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has rolled out a revised 590 Nutrient Management Practice Standard. These changes affect livestock and poultry farmers who have taken, or are considering applying for, EQIP funding. General changes include: Aligned better with the nutrient management conservation planning process. More consistent use of 4Rs language (the Right nutrient...
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Iowa NRCS Issues New Standard for Conservation Practices
By: Dirck Steimel, Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman Reprinted with permission of the Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman The Iowa office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) last week rolled out a new standard for implementing that nutrient management plans that are typically required for participation in federal conservation costshare programs, such...
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Brauer Family to Receive October Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award
West Des Moines, Iowa – October 24, 2013 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) commends the Brauer family of Jackson County for their outstanding efforts as a neighbors and community leaders. They have been named the October recipients of the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award. Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the...
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Taking the First Step: Assess Goals and Site
There are many reasons to plant trees and shrubs on livestock and poultry farms. A properly-designed tree planting can provide a windbreak; control snow so it’s not deposited on driveways, feed bunks, pit fans or roofs; improve relationships with neighbors; provide shade in the summer and protection from winter weather; improve aesthetics and provide visual...
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CSIF Tips of the Month: October 2013
Rules and Regs Highlight DNR to Inspect More Livestock Farms Recently the EPA and Iowa DNR signed an agreement that established guidelines for evaluations of livestock and poultry farms. The work plan stems from a petition filed by environmental groups in 2007, claiming DNR does not comply with the Clean Water Act and that EPA...
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