Buffers make it better

A coalition of Iowa farmers, landscapers and environmentalists is working to help producers reduce odors from their livestock operations by

using trees and other plants in environmental buffers.

Experts say properly designed and planted vegetative buffers can reduce farm odors, save energy, preserve natural resources and enhance our rural quality of life.

That the Green Farmstead Partner Program has such support and doesn't cost taxpayers a dime - two more marks in its favor.

Farmers would do well to learn more about the program and find out if it would work for them.

The Green Farmstead Partner program provides free planning and design assistance to help livestock producers

install vegetative environmental buffers around cattle feedlots, hog barns and poultry buildings.

The program was developed by the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers, Trees Forever and the Iowa Nursery and Landscape Association.

They say Iowa State University researchers have found that properly planting trees and shrubs around livestock barns and feedlots can help reduce odor emissions by 10 to 15 percent.

They cite several reasons: By creating turbulence, buffers mix the air, diluting farm odors. Vegetation also can capture odor-carrying particulates, or slow the air down so those particulates fall nearby instead of being carried off to the neighbor's place.

Vegetative barriers conserve energy, create wildlife habitat and help protect water and soil quality.

They can include design elements like windbreaks, which shelter animals and people from harsh winter and summer weather.

They also may include filter strips to capture and filter runoff, or riparian buffers to protect and improve water and soil.

Vegetative barriers make farm sites more pleasant environments in which to work. They are a visible sign that producers care about mitigating their impact on neighbors' quality of life.

The Green Farmstead Partner Program gives trained nurseries financial incentives to pay for planning costs or help offset the farmer's purchase of trees for the barriers.

Aaron Putze, Executive Director of the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers, told us that since the program was launched on Sept. 10, they've already received 15 to 20 calls from interested farmers.

Among participating designers so far are Kelly Tree Farm in Clarence, Hughes Nursery & Landscaping in Cedar Rapids and Geode Forestry in Swedesburg. Partners say more designers still will be added.

We hope local

producers further investigate the Green Farmstead Partner Program by calling 1-(800) 932-2436 or logging on to www.

supportfarmers.com

Vegetative barriers can be a win-win-win for producers, rural neighbors and the natural resources we all share.