Renewing the Mission for the Next 20 Years

01-13-2025 in Article

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA – January 19, 2025 –

It was a busy year at the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers; 2024 marked the 20th Anniversary of helping farmers grow and diversify with a focus on sustainability, profitability and good neighbor relations.

In that way, it was no different than the previous 19 years. That has always been the CSIF mission.

“We get a lot of calls from farmers who want to grow and diversify, and they want to do it in accordance with the rules and regulations,” says Kody Havens, CSIF Field Specialist. “They want to grow responsibly.”

In 2004, farming operations were growing in size to capture efficiencies. That often-created farm/neighbor friction and led to nuisance lawsuits and low morale among livestock farmers. Livestock is critical to a growing and prosperous Iowa, accounting for one in five jobs in rural communities. Industry leaders decided it was time to act.

The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers was formed to help Iowa’s livestock farmers implement best management practices, properly site locations for new livestock barns and feedlots, interpret rules and regulations, and enhance neighbor relations. CSIF began to work one on one with farmers on interpreting regulations and facility siting, going beyond the rule book to take into account wind, topography and the type of neighbors, from traditional farmers to a rural/urban mix.

Since 2004, CSIF has directly assisted 5,400 Iowa farm families, as well as provided educational programs.

It remains an objective one-stop shop for farmers looking to go above and beyond to ensure the success of their farms for the next generation.

In 2024, CSIF staff took 622 support calls and made 86 farm visits, reaching livestock producers in 81 of Iowa’s 99 counties.

“Over the past two decades, CSIF has helped thousands of Iowa families and will certainly continue to be an integral part of keeping our livestock industry and the communities that surround them strong in the years ahead,” says Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.

They reached farmers through the Fenceline podcast and the Farming for the Future Friday radio series, as well as hosting the annual Farming for the Future Conference.

“The success and reputation of the Coalition speaks for itself. Farmers and the ag industry trust it. They provide a wonderful service to Iowa and its farmers – on the ground and in keeping folks informed,” says WHO Radio broadcaster and Fenceline co-host Bob Quinn. Quinn also hosts the Good Farm Neighbor (GFN) awards and livestock facility open houses and regularly uses CSIF staff as sources for the daily The Big Show on News radio 1040 WHO.

CSIF bestowed 12 Good Farm Neighbor Awards this past year, recognizing the contribution of Iowa livestock farmers to not only the ag industry and animal welfare, but to their communities and the environment. They found Good Neighbor recipients in 11 different counties, five of them new to the GFN network.

CSIF continued its focus on the environment, celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the Green Farmstead Partnership Program that has facilitated the planting of 82,000 shrubs and trees, helping to amplify aesthetics, reduce odor and lessen energy costs at livestock facilities.

“I believe our mission is still as viable today as it was 20 years ago,” says CSIF Executive Director Brian Waddingham. “Our pre-emptive approach to helping farmers start raising livestock, or grow their existing farm, has proven to be successful, and in many cases has proven to be essential, to reaching the farm family goals.”

“A vibrant livestock industry not only helps farmers but also helps rural communities,” says Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Executive Director Marty Schwager. “It means agriculture related businesses and local jobs that are critical to growth in rural Iowa.”

Naig and Schwager joined a roster of Iowa agriculture leaders and farmers at the Iowa State Fair to celebrate the success of a coalition of ag industry and commodity groups that formed CSIF.

Pat McGonegle, CEO of the Iowa Pork Producers, said, “We appreciate what those industry leaders did 20 years ago. The foresight they had was unbelievable, and I hope we can have that kind of foresight today.”

“Each of those groups is strong in their own right. They don’t have to do anything together,” added Naig. “But when they work together, to make an investment, especially for a couple of decades, that is powerful. Investing 20 years of work to help farmers grow responsibly, that is work that has mattered to families and to our state.”

And so, the work continues. CSIF is ready to help Iowa’s livestock in 2025 and beyond.

“We want our livestock farmers to be good neighbors today and tomorrow, just like we did when we started 20 years ago” says Waddingham. “They want to farm with minimal environmental impact. They want to protect the land and water for future generations, and for those around them. They want to do it right. And we’re here to help with that.”

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 Beef Industry Council, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Turkey Federation, Midwest Dairy and the North Central Poultry 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 orwww.supportfarmers.com.

(By Terri Queck-Matzie for CSIF. Queck-Matzie is a freelance writer from Greenfield).

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