Steps

“Working through the Coalition’s Green Farmstead Partner program has helped us identify cost-share programs and nurseries that have worked with other livestock facilities. (It) is a great resource for Iowa’s farmers.”

—AJ and Kellie Blair,
grain and livestock farmers, 
Webster County

Planting trees and shrubs on your livestock farm is a great way to improve environmental quality and aesthetics, create shade to help conserve on-farm energy use, provide wildlife habitat and enhance neighbor and community relations.

So how do you get started?

The best place to begin is to personally assess your farm site, determine your goals and develop a time line for when you would want to start and complete your project.

However, we understand that it can be difficult to know how to start the process. That is why we are here! If you have questions, are unsure of what your best options are or would just like some ideas, call the Coalition at 1-800-932-2436.

The next step is to contact a nursery and landscape professional to discuss your needs, wants and options. The Green Farmstead Partner Program (GFP), in partnership with the Iowa Nursery & Landscape Association, is training nursery professionals from throughout the state who can be of assistance. They have the expertise and are available to design a cost-effective and time-efficient vegetative buffer on your farm.

For a list of professionals and their contact information, click here. (And be sure to check back often as the list is updated frequently.)

By using a GFP nursery, it will be easy for a farmer to qualify for the personalized GFP farm sign. However, if you have an established tree planting or have done the job yourself, you can still be a Green Farmstead Partner!

For additional information, you can also contact the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers at 1-800-932-2436.

To request a GFP personalized sign (sample pictured at right) at no cost to display at the site of your tree planting, please provide the following information to Rita Cook by emailing rcook@supportfarmers.com or calling 515-225-5515:

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