Schyler Bardole says working with the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers helped his family grow and diversify their farm for future generations, which includes their son, Adam.
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chyler Bardole researched everything from crickets to buffalo to diversify his family’s soybean and corn farm near Rippey. Once he determined that raising pigs would be the best fit for his family, he knew the next step was to call the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) to help him understand the rules and regulations that apply to raising livestock. He made the right call. “They were there every step of the way and were willing and able to provide the help and support we needed,” Bardole says. CSIF Senior Field Coordinator Kent Mowrer assisted the Bardole family in determining the best location for the barn. Using various models and webbased tools, Mowrer determined the site
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was suitable for raising pigs. The Coalition advised the Bardoles to communicate their plans for growth with their neighbors. CSIF also connected them with other contractors and resources that could help make their diversification dream a reality. Before the Bardole family’s barns were filled with 40-pound pigs to feed to market weight for Seaboard Foods, the Coalition hosted an open house on the farm so neighbors and others could see how pigs are raised today. Bardole is just one example of the more than 4,600 farmers the Coalition has assisted since its inception in 2004. It’s a joint partnership involving the Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn Growers
BY BETHANY BARATTA
Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Poultry Association, Iowa Turkey Federation and Midwest Dairy Association. It was created to help farmers grow their farms thoughtfully and responsibly. “Hope is not a strategy when it comes to livestock farming today,” says CSIF Executive Director Brian Waddingham. “You must have a plan.” CSIF staff are hearing from farmers early on in the planning stages. That’s been key in determining the right location, Waddingham says. Lately, CSIF staff have fielded calls from farmers interested in raising cattle under roof, adding hog barns and exploring the possibilities of raising shrimp and fish.
