Fourteen years after its inception, the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) remains focused on its mission: To advocate and help implement on-farm best management practices that assist Iowa’s farm families in raising livestock responsibly and successfully.

Its confidential and cost-free facility siting and regulation compliance services have set the standard in Midwest livestock production. Its approach is copied by surrounding states and praised by producers and industry leaders alike.

“We continue to take a lot of calls,” says Brian Waddingham, executive director of CSIF.

Growing the family farm

These days the CSIF crew, Senior Field Coordinator Kent Mower and Assistant Field Specialist Gabrielle Glenister, along with Waddingham, see cattle feeding and swine production leading the state’s...