Meier Family to Receive Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

10-26-2015 in Good Farm Neighbor

West Des Moines, Iowa – October 26, 2015 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) commends the Meier family of Page County for their outstanding efforts as a neighbors and community leaders. They have been named recipients of the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award. Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the award to the family on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at the family’s farm, 2175 180th St., Clarinda.

“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 Meiers 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:

MEIER FAMILY FROM PAGE COUNTY NAMED WERGIN GOOD FARM NEIGHBOR AWARD WINNERS

Award to be presented Oct. 28 at Meier farm

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

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that the Curtis and Brenda Meier family from Page County have been named the winners of the “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”

Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the award to the family on Wednesday, Oct. 28. The ceremony will be at the Meier farm located at 2175 180th St., Clarinda. 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 was created to recognize livestock farmers like the Meier family who contribute so much to our communities. These families can be found all across the state and they take great pride in caring for their animals, protecting the land, caring for their neighbors and serving their community,” Northey said. “The Meier family is a deserving winner of this award for all they do both on their farm and in their community.”

Curtis and Brenda farm with their son Michael and daughter-in-law Angie and daughter Leah and son-in-law Kevin. They have five grandchildren. They have a diversified farm raising corn, soybeans, rye, hogs and cattle.

The family is very active in the community. Curtis is a commissioner with the Page County Soil and Water Conservation District and has served on the Page County Fair board. They are also active in their local church. Curtis has also served in many positions within the Iowa Pork Producers Association as well as the National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council.

The family was nominated for the award by Dennis Liljedahl who said, “Even though Curtis has many demands on his time from both his farming operation and his volunteer positions, he is always willing to help with an event in our county.”

Liljedahl also highlighted Meier’s leadership on conservation, saying, “Curtis’ family is committed to leaving the land better than they found it. They have extensively terraced their land and use no-till.”

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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