Keith and Kendra Bunger to Receive May Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

05-22-2014 in Cattle

West Des Moines, Iowa – May 22, 2014 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) commends Keith and Kendra Bunger of Grundy County for their outstanding efforts as neighbors and community leaders. They have been named the May recipients of the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award. Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the award to the Bunger family on Wednesday, May 28 at family’s farm, 14596 205th St., Wellsburg.

“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 Bungers 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:

KEITH AND KENDRA BUNGER FROM GRUNDY COUNTY NAMED WERGIN GOOD FARM NEIGHBOR AWARD WINNERS

Award to be presented May 28 at the Bunger’s farm near Wellsburg

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

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that Keith and Kendra Bunger who raise cattle in rural Grundy County have been named the May winners of the “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”

Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the award to the Bunger family on Wednesday, May 28 at family’s farm, 14596 205th St., Wellsburg.  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 May 28th.

“It is great to be able to recognize the Bunger family and highlight all they do to be great neighbors,” Northey said.  “Iowa is fortunate to have families like this all across the state who take great pride in how they care for their animals, protect the land and serve their neighbors and community.”

The Bunger family has a cow-calf operation and custom-feed cattle.  They also raise corn and soybeans.

They were nominated for the award by their neighbor Justin Graves, who highlighted the family’s care for their animals and the land as well as their work in the community in his nomination.

“The Bungers take pride in being good stewards and caretakers of the land and their livestock.  They utilize crop rotations and have added several waterways.  Their farmstead is always well manicured and their cattle lots are well managed,” Graves said in his nomination.

Outside of their work on the farm, the Bunger’s are strong supporters of South Hardin High School, including serving as a Booster Club Representative for the girls’ basketball team.  They are also actively involved in the Steamboat Rock Baptist Church.

In closing his nomination Graves said, “The Bunger’s are a prime example of a family everyone would like to have as a neighbor.  It’s difficult to capture and explain the value of everything they do, but they are truly making a difference in our rural neighborhood, their church and our county.  I’m proud to call them neighbors and friends.”

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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