Farm Bureau celebrating state Ag Week

FARM BUREAU SERVICES

Service takes many forms, and as farmers, we want to be able to meet the needs of our community in a multitude of ways—because they’ve been there for us, too, in hard times, and that support means more than you know.”

Brent Koller, Lee County Farm Bureau Board President

DONNELLSON - As Iowa Ag Week, March 17-23, is recognized across the state, the Lee County Farm Bureau thanks the community for their support of local agriculture.
“We are very proud of our longtime history of being rooted in this county - not just through farmland but the people,” says Brent Koller, a local farmer and county Farm Bureau president. “Because people have been there for us through hard times, we do our best to pay that forward by showing up when and where we’re needed.”
|n the last five years, the Lee County Farm Bureau’s Cram the Cab promotion in partnership with Ft. Madison Fareway and Keokuk Hy-Vee have also donated almost 2,000 pounds of food and $1,500 to the Ft Madison Food Pantry and Keokuk Salvation Army. They have also given almost $13,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors pursing an ag-related degree.
“We look forward to meeting those needs for years to come and also want our neighbors to know how important it us for us to give back by doing the right thing for our community’s natural resources and the livestock in our care,” said Koller.
Iowa farmers lead the nation in several water quality practices, including conservation tillage and pollinator habitat. Research from the Iowa Best Management Practices Mapping Project also shows since the 80s, grassed terraces have increased by 61% and water and sediment control basins have increased 204%.
When it comes to raising livestock, Iowa farmers collaborate with feed nutritionists, veterinarians, and animal welfare experts to promote animal health and comfort. Advances in technology have also aided farmers in tracking the health of each animal on the farm to provide individualized care.
"Service takes many forms, and as farmers, we want to be able to meet the needs of our community in a multitude of ways—because they’ve been there for us, too, in hard times, and that support means more than you know,” he said..
For more information on the Lee County Farm Bureau's initiatives and how to get involved, please contact Lee County Farm Bureau at 319-835-5126 or lee.county@ifbf.org.