Latest News

Accu-Steel Fabric Covered Buildings Invests in the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – January 13, 2017 – Accu-Steel Fabric Covered Buildings, a leading manufacturer of fabric-covered buildings, affirms its support of Iowa agriculture through an investment in the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF). Jason Owen, president of Accu-Steel, said the family-owned business is proud to serve Iowa’s livestock farmers today and into...

Read More
CSIF Announces Call for Good Farm Neighbor Award Nominations

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – January 9, 2017 –The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in doing things right. To celebrate responsible livestock farming, the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) is announcing a call for Good Farm Neighbor award nominations through March 1, 2017. “We invite all Iowans...

Read More
Winter Guide to Windbreaks

The holiday season may be over, but Old Man Winter remains. Tired of those inconvenient snow drifts piling up on your livestock farm? A properly planted windbreak can greatly reduce your time and effort spent on moving snow. Two Approaches to Snow Control When it comes to windbreaks, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all...

Read More
12 Reasons to Call the Coalition

Since 2004, the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) has assisted over 3,720 Iowa farm families in raising livestock responsibly and successfully. As a trusted third-party resource, CSIF offers a variety of services that are completely confidential and free of charge. The wide range of these services are summarized in the following “12 Reasons to...

Read More
CSIF News Briefs – December 2016

Five Tips for Understanding Manure Management Farmers wear many hats, and when it comes to manure management they must balance the roles of an agronomist, economist and environmental steward. Check out the following tips from our recent Manure Workshop to learn how you can better maximize the nutrient value of your manure. Manure Management Tips...

Read More
CSIF Conference to Focus on Managing Risk on Your Farm

Industry experts to provide strategies to improve profitability WEST DES MOINES, IOWA – December 15, 2016 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) is hosting its twelfth annual Farming for the Future Conference January 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Quality Inn and Suites in Ames. This year’s conference, themed “Managing...

Read More
Big Gain, Inc. Invests in CSIF

Big Gain, Inc. affirms its support of Iowa agriculture through an investment in the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF). Brian Waddingham, executive director of the Coalition, says the group has stepped forward with an investment to support CSIF’s efforts in working with livestock farmers. “We’re extremely grateful for the contribution made by Big Gain,...

Read More
Land-Based Aquaculture: Hurdles and Business Planning Practices

Increasing global demand for seafood has prompted many Iowa farmers to explore land-based aquaculture as a profitable and sustainable venture to grow and diversify the family farm. Several hog barns and school buildings across the state have already been converted to fish farming facilities, but while food fish and shrimp remains a big driver for...

Read More
Trees: Your Long-Term, Low-Cost Solution

While there’s no silver bullet to completely mitigate livestock odors or control snow deposition, there is one solution many Iowa farmers turn to as the next best alternative – trees!  A properly designed windbreak not only reduces the impact of winds and inclement weather, but can dissipate odors, shift snowfall and enhance farm aesthetics. In...

Read More
Five Tips for Understanding Manure Managment

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – December 8, 2016 – Farmers facing tight markets can impact their profitability by understanding the top five criteria in manure management decisions, according to experts at the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) recent manure management workshop. Over 60 farmers attended the event to learn how to better manage their...

Read More