Family farms, eager to bring a son or daughter back into the farming operation, often added a modern livestock barn as part of the family transition and to help capture efficiencies. The additional barn added value to a farm’s row crop operation by providing manure as a valuable fertilizer source. That often-created farm/neighbor friction and led to a strong resistance in rural Iowa.

“There was a real lack of optimism, and a significant lack of understanding by the public about modern livestock production,” says Kirk Leeds, CEO of the Iowa Soybean Association and CSIF Board of Directors member.

CSIF began to work with farmers on interpreting regulations and facility siting, going beyond the rule book to take into account wind, topography, nearby water sources and neighbors. From the beginning, CSIF made neighbor relations a priority.

The plan was effective. Livestock facilities were better sited. Neighbor relations improved. Farmers were able to grow their livestock farms with confidence they were complying with regulations and meeting community standards for environmental concerns.

Today, the Coalition continues its work with farmers on neighbor relations and public perceptions, individually and through programs like the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award, but also devotes significant time and resources to growing Iowa’s livestock farms, often with the goal of young people returning to the farm.

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Noelck Family

Entrepreneurial Franklin County farm family to be recognized for their commitment to the community and care for their land and livestock.

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Secretary Naig Announces Another Record Year for Conservation in Iowa

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, working with Iowa’s 100 Soil and Water Conservation Districts and farmers and landowners, again shattered a record for conservation and water quality practice adoption within Iowa during the last fiscal year. Secretary Naig made the announcement today during remarks at the annual Conservation Districts of Iowa conference in Ames.

“For the third year in a row, we have set a record for conservation adoption in Iowa. I want to thank everyone who has said ‘yes’ to adding proven water quality practices on their land during the past year. Because public and private partners are joining together with farmers and landowners to add these practices, the pace of implementation continues to accelerate,” said Secretary Naig. “We have come a long way, and still have far to go, but Iowans continue to demonstrate that they are committed to conservation and water quality. Whether you live on a farm or in the city, we can all play a role in protecting our natural resources and I encourage all Iowans to add even more practices in the year ahead.”

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Annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show Raises

Record-Breaking $568,000

In another record-breaking year, the 42nd annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show continues to elevate the bar raising $568,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. This was a significant jump from last year’s record of $501,000. Including this year’s donations, the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer is inching close to $6 million in donations since its inception in 1983.

All money raised benefits the three independent Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa located in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux City. These three houses have served over 55,000 families from all 50 states and many foreign countries. Families from all 99 counties in Iowa have benefited from the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa.

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