Latest News
An exciting new decade
by Peyton Schmitt, Communications Intern While the start of each new year is exciting, the start of a new decade brings even more anticipation about what it will hold. During my time thus far at the Coalition, I’ve seen the growth and innovation we’ve attained over the past decade – including the culmination of over...
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Not your grandfather’s hog house
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – January 9, 2020 –The latest addition to Kyle Halls’ farm sits just south of Osceola along the picturesque Jefferson Highway Heritage Byway, a primary national north-south freight route prior to construction of the Interstate system. Halls’ 2,400-head feeder to finish hog unit sits well back from the road, and boasts...
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Joe and Randy Takes from Buchanan County receive the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Keely Coppess 515-281-3375 or 515-326-1616 (cell) Keely.Coppess@iowaagriculture.gov Brothers recognized for outstanding leadership in agriculture DES MOINES, Iowa (Feb. 4, 2020) – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will present the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to Joe and Randy Takes, cattle farmers from Buchanan County. The award will be given at the...
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Secretary Naig Honors Max Schmidt with the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Keely Coppess 515-281-3375 or 515-326-1616 (cell) Keely.Coppess@iowaagriculture.gov Max Schmidt, pork producer from Howard County, will be honored at the 2020 Iowa Pork Congress DES MOINES, Iowa (Jan. 20, 2020) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to Max Schmidt, owner of KMAX Farms...
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Halls family hosts new hog barn open house
Event to highlight new environmental safeguards, economics and technology WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – December 6, 2019 – Families, neighbors and community members are invited to tour the Kyle Halls family new hog barn, enjoy a complimentary lunch and visit with members of the family to learn more about how they raise livestock, use technology...
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Good Farm Neighbor Award Nominations Open
Do you know farmers who go above and beyond to be excellent producers, neighbors, and stewards of the land? The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF), in partnership with WHO and WMT radio’s “The Big Show” and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, is now accepting nominations for the 2020 Wergin Good Farm...
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Communications Internship Available
The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) has an opening for a communications intern for undergraduate students pursuing a degree in an agriculture-related field. This paid internship is full-time from May through August, with potential for the selected applicant to work part-time in the fall/spring. The communications intern helps develop strategies focused on supporting farmers...
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Who ya gonna call?
WEST DES MOINES, IOWA – September 24, 2019 – “I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to leave their farm in better shape than they found it,” says Scott Niess of Mitchell County. He and his wife, Julie, have a 1,500 head feedlot near Osage. It takes about 90% of the corn they raise...
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Leading by example
WEST DES MOINES, IOWA – September 19, 2019 – Livestock production is important to Iowa’s economy, contributing $48.5 billion to the state annually, up more than $17 billion from the 2012 U.S. Census of Ag. But Iowa isn’t the only state relying on agriculture. Across the Midwest, other states are hoping to shore up their...
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New study shows Iowa agriculture even stronger driver of state economy, contributing $121.1 billion
One in five Iowans employed by Iowa agriculture WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – September 6, 2019 – Iowa’s 86,104 family farms continue to be a key driver of Iowa’s economy, contributing 10 percent more to the state economy than in 2012, according to a new study commissioned by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers...
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