Pork partnerships foster environmental efforts: Iowa Farm's stewardship is platform for public awareness. (Ag Earth Stewards).Rather than sit and let the public take pot shots pot·shot also pot shot n. 1. A random or easy shot. 2. A criticism made without careful thought and aimed at a handy target for attack: reporters taking potshots at the mayor. at the impact large pork production facilities may have on the environment, Iowa Select Farms, L.P., of Iowa Falls, Iowa Iowa Falls is a city in Hardin County, Iowa, United States. Iowa Falls is the home of Ellsworth Community College. It is also a regional transportation center, located along U.S. Highways 20 and 65 and the Canadian National and Union Pacific Railroads. , has involved the public in its environmental efforts. Iowa Select Farms received the Environmental Stewardship The integration and application of environmental values into the military mission in order to sustain readiness, improve quality of life, strengthen civil relations, and preserve valuable natural resources. Award sponsored by the National Pork Board and National Hog Farmer last year for exceptional commitment to the environment at its Arends Sow Farm in Hamilton County, Iowa Hamilton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. It was named in honor of William W. Hamilton, who served as President of the Iowa State Senate for a time. As of 2000, the population is 16,438. Its county seat is Webster City. . Iowa Select Farms' Kielsmeier Sow Farm in Hardin County Hardin County is the name of six counties in the United States of America:
"Our interest in [applying for] the award was twofold. We wanted to generate positive awareness to the consumer, and we wanted to educate pork producers about stewardship opportunities," says Deanna Roelfs, Iowa Select Farms director of communications Director of Communications is a position in the private and public sectors. The Director of Communications is responsible for managing and directing an organization's internal and external communications. . "The application is rigorous and time-consuming, but it is worth the commitment because of the positive impact the award has on public perception." BENEFICIAL BEAUTY The 4,000-sow operation was chosen for the award in recognition of recent landscaping and the environmental research efforts that are tied to the landscape design. "The design focuses on image and farm aesthetics. The trees and shrubs soften the impact of the farm from the neighbor, community and farm employee perspective, the mix of plant varieties provides colorful seasonal interest and grasses and flowers enhance the landscape," says Roelfs. To get more mileage out of the landscape effort, Iowa Select Farms involved diverse groups in the project as cooperating research partners. Since 1998, Trees Forever, Iowa State University's Department of Forestry, the Agroecology Issue Team of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture sustainable agriculture n. A method of agriculture that attempts to ensure the profitability of farms while preserving the environment. and the National Soil Tilth tilth Physical condition of soil, especially in relation to its suitability for planting or growing a crop. Factors that determine tilth include the formation and stability of aggregated soil particles, moisture content, degree of aeration, rate of water infiltration, and Laboratory have been exploring potential benefits of improved landscape aesthetics, reduced energy costs, reduced odor and improved wildlife habitat at the farm. For example, a shelterbelt shel·ter·belt n. A barrier of trees and shrubs that protects against the wind and reduces erosion. Noun 1. shelterbelt - hedge or fence of trees designed to lessen the force of the wind and reduce erosion windbreak of trees was planted to help shield facilities from strong winter winds, which may result in energy savings and disperse odors. "From the very beginning of our discussions with Trees Forever, it was obvious that even though our organizations are quite different, we share a mission dedicated to environmental stewardship," says Jeff Hansen, third-generation farmer and pork producer, and founder of Iowa Select Farms in 1992. Today, Iowa Select Farms is the state's largest pork producer, supporting nearly 900 families in 26 Iowa counties. STEWARDSHIP AND SAFETY The project allowed other partnerships to cultivate within the community as well. The Northeast Hamilton High School Hamilton High School may refer to:
In addition to research with the trees, Iowa Select Farms and Trees Forever developed a shallow-water wetland to enhance wildlife habitats near the operation. Roelfs says grasses and wildflowers were planted at the site to help provide food, water and cover for birds and wildlife. Other environmental stewardship efforts are under way at the state-of-the-art, farrow-to-wean operation. A number of safety precautions have been built into the barns to minimize environmental risk, including an alarmed automatic flushing system, a backup lift station and an effluent application system with rain and odor safeguards. "I believe Iowa Select Farms' efforts at the Arends Sow Farm are examples of how cooperative programs and employee involvement increase awareness of the importance of environmental stewardship and create long-term value for Iowa Select Farms and the environment," says Hansen. "We need to have a balance between people and pork production, and between pork production and our natural resources." Barb Baylor Anderson is a free-lance writer from Edwardsville, Ill., who covers a wide variety of ag issues. |
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