Lee Huntrods of Rhodes has been named field specialist for the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers. The nonprofit coalition, created in 2004 by farmers to help farmers, has assisted nearly 1,300 families raise livestock and poultry responsibly and successfully. CSIF helps farmers identify good locations for new livestock buildings, follow regulations, enhance neighbor and community relations and improve air, soil and water quality.

Huntrods will help partner livestock farmers with local nursery and landscape professionals as part of CSIF's popular Green Farmstead Partner program. The initiative, launched last fall by CSIF, Trees Forever and the Iowa Nursery and Landscape Association, offers timely and cost-effective assistance to farmers wanting to plant trees and shrubs around new and existing cattle feedlots and livestock buildings.

Prior to joining the Coalition, Huntrods was a field manager for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and also headed a cattle procurement program available as a service to Farm Bureau members.

Huntrods joins CSIF team to help with popular program

"Lee's background and expertise is an ideal match to the coalition's primary mission of helping Iowa farm families raise livestock responsibly and successfully," says Megan Ritter, CSIF's senior field coordinator. "His addition to the coalition at this time is particularly helpful due to the very positive response of Iowa farm families to the Green Farmstead Partner program."

Ritter says more than three dozen Iowa farm families have expressed interest in participating in the program. The number will grow as the coalition markets the opportunity at farm shows and a series of spring "Doing Things Right" on-farm field days.

According to Iowa State University researchers, the use of vegetative environmental buffers (VEBs) reduces potential odor from livestock buildings. The VEBs also improve neighborhood aesthetics, enhance soil and water quality, reduce on-farm energy use and create a more pleasant working environment for farmers and employees.

Use of green buffers helps reduced odors from livestock buildings 

"I'm excited to be part of the Coalition team," Huntrods says. "The Green Farmstead Partner program is a unique and valuable tool for bringing together experts from around the state to provide the technical expertise and resources needed for farmers to get the job done and done right. It's also one more example of how farmers and the environmental community are working together for stronger farms, neighborhoods and communities."

The Green Farmstead Partner program is supported financially by Alliant Energy, Farm Credit Services of America, Kent Feeds, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. and West Central. Nurseries participating in the program include: Kelly Tree Farm, Clarence; Advanced Greenscapes, Ackley; River Valley Forest Services, Inc., Humboldt; Geode Forestry Inc., Swedesburg; Greenworld, Inc., Sioux Center; Hughes Nursery & Landscaping, Cedar Rapids; and Godbold Landscape Architecture, Spirit Lake. Additional nurseries will be added throughout the year.

Farmers interested in participating in the Green Farmstead Partner program can get started by calling the coalition at 800-932-2436 or log on to www.supportfarmers.com.

Now is time to start thinking about planting buffers around buildings

The Web site offers comprehensive information about the benefits of planting VEBs, considerations to keep in mind during the planning process and the names and contact information of nursery and landscape professionals who can help. In addition to capturing the benefits VEBs can provide, farmers who successfully install them can apply to receive, at no cost, a personalized Green Farmstead Partner sign for display on their farm.

The Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers is a joint partnership involving the Iowa Cattlemen's Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Poultry Association, Iowa Soybean Association and Iowa Turkey Federation.