Farmers have long understood the benefits of planting trees to create a windbreak against that ominous north winter wind.

 But windbreaks can benefit the livestock producer in a number of ways. That’s why the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) created the Green Farmstead Partner Program, linking producers to landscape professionals with the expertise to help farmers reap maximum benefit from their investment.

From refurbishing an old grove to planting a new windbreak, the program enlists the aid of 26 nursery professionals across the state trained to work with livestock facilities. So far, 150 facilities have benefited from planting more than 70,000 trees.

Plethora of benefits

For the livestock producer, trees have multiple benefits, according to Brian Waddingham, executive...