Finding “common ground” was the theme of a forum held Thursday in Pella that focused on the difficult issues involving livestock production.

Approximately 55 people braved icy roads to attend the “Tough Issues, Let’s Talk” forum and share their views on the various types of livestock feeding operations in Iowa.

Featured speakers at the event included Aaron Putze, the executive director of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers, and Francis Thicke, an organic dairy farmer from Fairfield.

This Iowa Independent video is an excerpt of Thicke’s presentation at the forum:

This video is an excerpt of Putze’s presentation: