WEST DES MOINES, IOWA – August 22, 2025 – Rod and Missy Bice of Boone County have sought guidance from the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) for help with rules and regulations regarding their livestock farm, Golden Circle Pork, so it was natural to reach out to CSIF to enhance their farmstead further through the Green Farmstead Partner Program.

The Green Farmstead Partner Program began in 2009 as an ambitious effort by CSIF to bridge the gap between farmers in need of windbreaks on their farm and nursery professionals who specialize in planting trees and shrubs that work best on livestock farms. In addition to enhancing the aesthetics of livestock barns, the program also helps reduce odor, provides shade in the summer and protection during harsh winters, conserves energy, and enhances neighbor relations.

“Planting trees and shrubs is a visual demonstration of a farmer’s commitment to their land and community, above and beyond what is required, and also provide numerous benefits to livestock farmers,” said Brian Waddingham, CSIF Executive Director. “It’s an example of a best management practice we encourage livestock farmers to implement to help them grow responsibly and successfully.”

With this knowledge, Boone County natives Rod and Missy Bice saw an opportunity to use the Green Farmstead Partner program to benefit their farm.

“Over the years, we’ve worked closely with CSIF on a number of improvements to our farm,” said Missy Bice. “The Green Farmstead Partner Program has been especially valuable in helping us develop a customized plan that works best for our livestock farm. We take great pride in the care we provide our animals, and adding a windbreak through the program has greatly improved the overall environment of Golden Circle Pork.”

“Iowa’s farmers want to be good neighbors. They want to be proactive in enhancing the environment and their communities, and they want to make responsible use of their resources. The Green Farmstead Partner Program helps them do all those things. To date, more than 80,000 trees have been planted on Iowa livestock farms through the Green Farmstead Partner Program and that number continues to grow every year,” Waddingham says.

The Green Farmstead Program is a resource for all Iowa livestock farmers. This program has provided windbreaks for hog, poultry, cattle, and dairy farms. The Bice family is just one of many family farms the GFP program has helped since its beginning in 2009. To find out more about the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers go to www.supportfarmers.com or call at 800.932.2436.