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Bockes and Flamme join farmers from across the state that lost vital weather protection in the storm.
Bockes’ place nearly 8 miles from the grove was hit even harder. There the derecho wreaked vengeance on a 6-acre grove of 35 mature white pine, oak and maple trees. But the site received little damage to buildings, and the hog barns escaped structural damage, with the west-facing exhaust fans bearing the brunt of the storm. Flamme had a similar experience, with overturned equipment, but no building loss. “It’s amazing we didn’t lose buildings,” says Flamme. “Not even the old barn built by my great-grandfather. There’s a reason they’re still there. I’m anxious to get my protection back.” According to Iowa State University research, windbreaks reduce wind speeds, control snow drifting and accumulation in farmsteads, provide wildlife habitat, enhance farmstead value, and provide a more pleasant environment. Reduced wind speeds in winter months provide monetary benefits. Homes or confinement buildings require 7 to 25 percent less fuel for heating. Livestock protected by a windbreak are 3-7 percent more efficient in conversion of feed to weight gain. Other benefits of windbreaks are measured in quality of life improvement. Both men turned to the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers for help. CSIF saw the devastation created by the derecho and wanted to help. Given their long-time experience with the Green Farmstead Partner Program that helps farmers plant trees and shrubs on livestock farms in partnership with 30 nurseries, they turned to supporting partners for additional funding and started the CSIF Derecho Windbreak Grant program. Through the program, farmers who suffered windbreak loss from the derecho applied for financial assistance toward tree replacement. More than 40 farmers used the CSIF Derecho Windbreak Grant Program, including Flamme and Bockes. A WHO Radio Big Show broadcast steered Flamme toward the online application. “I would recommend anyone use CSIF,” said Bockes. “It’s nice to have this type of resource.”