Mark Hollingsworth to Receive February Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

02-07-2014 in Cattle

West Des Moines, Iowa – February 7, 2014 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) commends Mark Hollingsworth of Madison County for his outstanding efforts as a neighbor and community leader. He has been named the February recipient of the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will present the award to him on Friday, Feb. 14 at the Madison County Historical Society, 815 South Second Ave., Winterset.

“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 Mark 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:

MARK HOLLINGSWORTH FROM MADISON COUNTY NAMED WERGIN GOOD FARM NEIGHBOR AWARD WINNERS

Award to be presented Feb. 14 at the Madison County Historical Society

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

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that Mark Hollingsworth, who raises cattle in rural Madison County, has been named the February winner of the “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will present the award to Hollingsworth and his family on Friday, Feb. 14 at the Madison County Historical Society, 815 South Second Ave., Winterset.  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 Feb. 14th.

“Iowa is fortunate to have many farmers like the Hollingsworth family who take great pride in caring for their animals, protecting the environment and serving their neighbors,” Northey said.  “The Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award helps highlight the great livestock farmers we have in this state.”

Hollingsworth and his wife Brenda farm with Mark’s brother, Paul and have a diversified row crop operation and raise 45 head of Angus cows.

Butch Wise nominated Hollingsworth for the award, saying “As a friend and neighbor, I have seen first-hand the dedication and commitment Mark has for his family, neighbors, environment and community.”

“The ground in Madison County has rolling hills so Mark is very conservation minded and implements numerous crop production practices to reduce the potential for erosion.  He practices minimum-till farming, uses crop rotation, has installed grassed waterways and terraces on his farm,” Wise added.

In addition to his work on the farm, Hollingsworth is involved with the Madison County Pork Producers and Madison County Cattlemen’s Association.  He and his wife are also active in the in Winterset’s community affairs and volunteer regularly.

In closing his nomination Wise said, “Mark and his brother have been farming for years and strongly believe in doing things right.  There isn’t a better guy out there for this award!”

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.

– 30 –

Recommended News