Davis Family of Wayne County Receives Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

04-20-2015 in Good Farm Neighbor

The Davis family of Wayne County was recognized last week as recipients of the Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award during a ceremony at the Promise City Community Center in Promise City. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey presented the Davis’ with the award at an open house with family, friends and neighbors.

“The Davis family are good conservationists, as they care for the land and their livestock,” Northey said. “They’re exactly the kinds of folks who make this community great. It’s a pleasure to have them live in Iowa.”

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award, sponsored by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF), recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in caring for the environment and their livestock, and being good neighbors.

The Davis family has 100 cows and sells the calves as feeders. They also raise hay and row crops in the Plano and Promise City area. The family moved to Iowa from Maryland in December 2005 and have become very active helping their neighbors, in addition to their work on their own farm.

“It’s a great privilege for me to accept this,” Ricky Davis, recipient, said. “Iowa has just been a good place to slow down.”

The family was nominated for the award by Joe and Pat Dent, whose farmland joins the Davis’.

“They just ‘fit in’ from the east coast,” Pat said. “Southern Iowa has a ‘help your neighbor’ policy, and they go above and beyond.” In fact, the Davis’ are known to pick and deliver green beans, sweet potatoes and other vegetables from their large garden.

CSIF Executive Director Brian Waddingham said, “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. This award is a great way to recognize people like the Davis’ who represent who we’d all like to have as a neighbor.”

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award, presented by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Iowa Ag Radio Network in partnership with CSIF, is presented nine times annually to an Iowa farm family who raises livestock. It’s given in honor of distinguished WHO Radio farm broadcaster Gary Wergin and recognizes families who take pride in being good neighbors and stewards of the land.

To nominate a deserving livestock farmer or farm family, contact Waddingham at bwaddingham@supportfarmers.com or call at (515) 225-5531.

The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers was created by farmers to help farmers raise livestock responsibly and successfully. It’s a joint partnership involving the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Turkey Federation and Midwest Dairy Association.

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