Brauer Family to Receive October Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

10-24-2013 in Good Farm Neighbor

West Des Moines, Iowa – October 24, 2013 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) commends the Brauer family of Jackson County for their outstanding efforts as a neighbors and community leaders. They have been named the October recipients of the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award. Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the award to the Brauer family on Monday, October 28 at the family’s farm located at 1883 110th St., Maquoketa.

“Iowa farm families go to great lengths every day to provide the best possible care for their animals and the environment, while still being good neighbors and active community members,” CSIF Executive Director Brian Waddingham said. “This award is a great way to recognize people like the Brauers who represent who we would all like to have as a neighbor.”

The “Big Show,” which airs on both WHO and WMT radio, will broadcast live from the presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award, made possible through the financial support of CSIF, recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in doing things right. This includes caring for the environment and their livestock and being good neighbors. It is named in memory of Gary Wergin, a long-time WHO Radio farm broadcaster who helped create the award. For more information, visit www.supportfarmers.com/goodneighbor.

The full release from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is below:

Contact: Dustin Vande Hoef, 515/281-3375 or 515/326-1616

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that the Brauer family, who raise both hogs and cattle on their farm near Maquoketa, have been named the October winners of the “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”

Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the award to the family on Monday, Oct. 28 at the family’s farm located at 1883 110th St., Maquoketa.  The “Big Show,” which airs on both WHO and WMT radio, will broadcast live from the presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 28.

“The Brauer family is another great example of Iowa values being passed on from one generation to the next,” Northey said.  “In addition to caring for their land and animals, the Brauers’ do a tremendous job of serving their neighbors and being leaders in their community.”

The Brauer family farm is a two generation farm that raises crops and livestock.  Bill and Bev Brauer own stock cows and feed out cattle and farm with their son Zac, who also feeds hogs for Eichelberger and owns stock cows.  Their daughter Kristin recently returned to the area and is a teacher at a nearby school.

The family was nominated for the award by their neighbor Keith Dexter, saying the family farms their land “the right way.”  He added, “They integrate hay strips, no-till soybeans and leave residue on the ground.  They just constructed a new deep pit cattle building that prevents manure from running off and collects nutrients to be applied at the right time.”

In addition to their work on the farm, the Brauer family is active in the community.  Bill has been the Lost Nation volunteer fire department chief for many years and Zac is now the assistant fire chief.  Bev is active in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lost Nation as a member of the parish council and spearheading the church’s new religious education program.

In closing his nomination Dexter said, “If there is a need in Lost Nation, you can count on a Brauer showing up to help.”

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award, made possible through the financial support of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers, recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in doing things right. This includes caring for the environment and their livestock and being good neighbors. It is named in memory of Gary Wergin, a long-time WHO Radio farm broadcaster who helped create the award.

Anyone interested in nominating their neighbor for the award should write a letter or e-mail explaining why their neighbor should receive this designation.  Applications may be submitted to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Attn: Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award, Henry A. Wallace Building, Des Moines, IA 50319 or emailed to Communications@iowaAgriculture.gov.

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