New Online Resource to Help Farmers Successfully Plant Trees

05-18-2015 in Green Farmstead Partner

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – May 18, 2015 – Planting trees around livestock and poultry farms is gaining popularity in Iowa. To help farmers with this effort, the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) has launched a new, interactive blog. Farm families can access the Green Farmstead Partner program blog at http://greenfarmstead.blogspot.com.

The new blog enhances the outreach efforts of CSIF’s popular Green Farmstead Partner program, which was launched in 2009 to provide information and resources to help Iowa farm families successfully plant trees and shrubs around livestock barns and feedlots. The program features a network of landscapers with expertise in designing plantings for Iowa’s farms and rural landscape. To date, over 61,000 trees have been planted on Iowa farms through the program.

The blog connects farmers with the resources they need to plan an effective windbreak or aesthetic tree planting. It features an entire section of case studies, which showcase farm families who have already planted trees on their livestock farms. These studies share the types of trees that were planted, and offer tips for success and pitfalls to avoid.

“When planted properly, there are many benefits associated with planting trees on farms, including controlling snow and wind, reducing odor and enhancing relationships with neighbors,” said Rita Cook, CSIF Assistant Field Specialist. “In a recent study commissioned by the Coalition, 82 percent of Iowans said they are more accepting of livestock agriculture after finding out about the Green Farmstead Partner program and tree plantings.”

CSIF is a non-profit organization that assists livestock farmers who want help interpreting rules and regulations, guidance on good site locations for barns, counsel on enhancing neighbor relations and tips on how to protect the environment at no cost. It does not develop policy, lobby or charge for its services.

This positive, solutions-based approach to helping livestock farmers grow is a collaborative effort involving the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Turkey Federation and the Midwest Dairy Association.

Families wanting confidential assistance in growing their livestock farms responsibly and successfully are encouraged to contact CSIF at 1-800-932-2436 or visit www.supportfarmers.com.

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