CSIF celebrates 20 years of helping livestock farmers

Farm group leaders pledge continued support for coalition's mission to help farmers grow and prosper.

Leaders from the agricultural groups that partnered 20 years ago with a mission to help Iowa's livestock farmers grow and prosper convened last week at the Iowa State Fair to celebrate the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers (CSIF) 20-year anniversary and pledge their support to further the coalition's mission into the future.

"I'm very proud to be standing here today, celebrating the success of the coalition," said Marty Schwager, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation executive director. "As Iowa's largest grassroots farm organization, Farm Bureau believes a vibrant livestock industry not only helps farmers but also helps rural communities, ag-related businesses and local jobs critical to the growth in rural Iowa."

Pat McGonegle, CEO of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, said the coalition has been a key partner in making the pork industry thrive in Iowa.

"The coalition is the envy of any other state pork organization," McGonegle said. "The coalition has touched about 5,000 pork producers in this state, which is a huge number over the 20 years, and it's really been a pinnacle for us to be able to thrive and succeed into the future."

CSIF mission

Created in 2004 by farmers for farmers, CSIF offers free and confidential services for Iowa's farmers regarding livestock rules and regulations, neighbor relations, building sites and environmental stewardship.

It has assisted farm families in their efforts to start up and grow their farms successfully, sustainably and responsibly - providing an independent resource that can be relied on for expertise and support.

CSIF Executive Director Brian Waddingham said over the past 20 years the coalition has assisted an array of livestock and poultry farmers.

"We work with new farmers to site barns and feedlots, existing farmers to interpret rules and regulations, work to enhance neighbor relations and then implement best management practices on the farm," Waddingham explained. "We have one mission and that is to help farmers grow responsibly and successfully and make good decisions on their farms.

"We're a one-stop shop for all things livestock."

In addition, the coalition has expanded its services with the Green Farmstead Partner Program, a unique initiative that provides guidance to farmers wanting to plant trees and shrubs on the farm. To date approximately 80,000 trees and shrubs have been planted on Iowa's farms through the program.

The CSIF-sponsored Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in doing things right and going above and beyond as environmental stewards and animal caretakers. In partnership with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), CSIF has recognized 188 farm families with the award.

Pictured above: CSIF Executive Director Brian Waddingham says partnerships with Iowa farm groups and industry partners have helped drive the coalition's success. PHOTO / CONRAD SCHMIDT

Mission continues

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig praised CSIF's achievements and endeavors in support of Iowa agriculture.

"This is work that has mattered," Naig said. "The work of the Coalition has certainly mattered for families and to our state.

"The Coalition really does bring together the crop strength that we have in this state with the livestock strength. Animal agriculture is the ultimate value-added agriculture. We grow a lot of things in this state, but when you turn it into something of higher value, that's where you drive impact to our economy."

Kirk Leeds, Iowa Soybean Association CEO, said CSIF has been instrumental in providing information and facts about animal agriculture during a time when misinformation could create challenges and questions.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with farmers as they work to build their operations sustainably and responsibly has been a hallmark attribute of the coalition, he said.

"Helping them expand their livestock operations so that they can continue to provide value to Iowa corn and Iowa soybeans, but also to this great state," Leeds said.

When the coalition was formed, there was a true passion for wanting to unify and provide a central resource of experts available to Iowa farmers to utilize when discussing important issues such as regulatory requirements or science-based guidance, added Schwager.

"Experts that would stand next to them when they're having those conversations within their communities and discussing their plans for new buildings or making changes to their livestock operations within their own neighborhoods," he explained.

Waddingham said what makes the coalition successful has been its partnerships. CSIF is funded by Iowa farm and commodity groups and receives additional support from various industry stakeholders.

"We do owe our continued success to Iowa's farm and commodity groups and industry partners who supported the coalition, which really exemplifies their commitment to the success of livestock agriculture in the state," Waddingham said.

"We look forward to continuing our original mission of helping Iowa's farm families find ways to get back to the farm or continue to grow responsibly and successfully both now and into the future.

"The coalition always has been and always will be at the farm gate ready to lend a hand."

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