State Fair Celebration Honors 20 Years of CSIF

09-09-2024 in Anniversary

In the 20 years since the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) was formed to help farmers grow responsibly and successfully, CSIF has become the go-to resource for questions about starting and growing livestock farms.

On Wednesday, August 14, farmers, Iowa agriculture dignitaries and industry leaders met at the Iowa State Fair to celebrate that success.

“I believe our mission is still as viable today as it was 20 years ago,” said 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.”

Those goals often include bringing a son or daughter back to the farm. Livestock can provide additional revenue for the operation and equity for that young person trying to get a foothold in production agriculture.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig put the success of the coalition in historical context as he spoke of awarding Century and Heritage Farm recognitions at the fair.

“What has it taken to keep a farm in a family for 100 or 150 years? World wars, pandemics, tough markets, great markets, droughts, floods – these farms have seen everything you could imagine,” said Naig. “Investing 20 years of work to help these farmers grow responsibly, that is work that has mattered to families and to our state.”

The coalition was formed in 2004 in response to changing agriculture methods coming out of the Farm Crisis. Livestock producers were using new technologies to capture efficiencies that also enabled them to monitor the overall health of their animals better, moving from open pastures to under roof.

That created tension with neighbors, resulting in lawsuits and changing regulations.

CSIF was created to help livestock farmers find the best location for a barn, answer questions about rules and regulations and provide guidance on everything from financing and odor management to neighbor relations. As a result, farmers were able to grow their livestock farms with confidence they were complying with the rules and regulations and meeting community standards for environmental concerns.

“I vividly remember sitting in one of those meetings over 20 years ago with representatives from various commodity organizations discussing the importance of the livestock industry in Iowa,” said Marty Schwager, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Executive Director. “There was a true passion for wanting to unify and provide a central resource of experts available to farmers that they could utilize when they were talking about regulatory issues, needed on farm assistance, or were looking for science based guidance of information for siting livestock barns.”

They needed experts who would stand with them when they were having the tough conversations about plans for new buildings or changes to their livestock operations in their neighborhoods and communities.

Kirk Leeds, Iowa Soybean Association CEO, was also there at the beginning. “I’m proud to say we joined together to stand alongside Iowa farmers. We have made a difference. We made a difference in standing up for Iowa farmers so they could expand their livestock operations, continuing to provide value for Iowa corn and Iowa soybeans, but also adding value to this great state.”

The partnership approach

CSIF is a unique coalition. It was formed by ag industry and commodity groups. Many of those original sponsors, along with new ones, continue today, making CSIF services free to farmers.

“Their continuing support shows their commitment to the success of livestock agriculture in the state,” said Waddingham.

“To the organizations that made that investment, I like to say you can talk about things, but when you put your money where your mouth is, invest in something, put a team on the ground, that’s where things actually happen,” said Naig. “Each of those groups is strong in their own right. They don’t have to do anything together. But that’s how Iowa agriculture is. It’s strong in so many sectors. Not every state is like that. But when they decide to work together, to make an investment, especially for a couple of decades, that is powerful. You see it happen time and time again in the state of Iowa and I’m proud of that.”

Results

Agriculture has grown and evolved in the past 20 years, and so has the Coalition.

In the 20 years since its creation, CSIF has worked with over 5,300 individual livestock farmers resulting in over 25,000 points of contact.

The Green Farmstead Partnership Program has been responsible for planting more than 80,000 trees on livestock farms.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award has been bestowed on 188 farm families.

“Everyone says they don’t deserve it,” says Naig. “They say ‘We didn’t do anything. We don’t think we’re special. We’re no different than anybody else. This is how our neighbors treat us.’ Of course, that’s the characteristic that makes them a good farm neighbor.”

In 2022, ag and related industries contributed $159.5 billion to Iowa’s economy. Production ag and agriculture related industry accounted for more than 385,000 jobs. “One in five people go to work in Iowa because of agriculture,” said Waddingham.

Livestock farming accounted for 170,000 jobs and a $20.4 billion contribution to the state’s economy.

“CSIF has certainly been a key partner in helping the pork industry in Iowa thrive and be successful,” said Pat McGonegle, CEO of the Iowa Pork Producers. “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. The Coalition has touched about 5,000 pork producers in the state, and it will help us have a very bright future for our pork industry.”

“A vibrant livestock industry not only helps grain farmers but also helps rural communities,” said Schwager. “It means agriculture related businesses and local jobs that are critical to growth in rural Iowa.”

Today Iowa’s livestock producers work within 250 pages of rules and regulations, making the Coalition’s services needed more than ever.

“I believe our mission of helping Iowa’s farmers grow responsibly and successfully is still as viable today as it was 20 years ago,” said Waddingham. “We look forward to continuing to help Iowa’s farm families find ways to get back to the farm or continue to grow their farms responsibly and successfully both now and into the future.”

“We know our livestock farmers do an amazing job taking care of their livestock,” added Schwager. “And the Coalition has that same dedication in taking care of farmers and being that source that farmers need.”

“CSIF has always been and always will be at the farm gate ready to lend a hand,” said Waddingham.

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 Egg Council, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Turkey Federation and Midwest Dairy. 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 or www.supportfarmers.com.

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