Mitteness Family to Receive July Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

07-24-2013 in Cattle

West Des Moines, Iowa – July 24, 2013 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) commends Rick and Paige Mitteness of Wayne County for their outstanding efforts as a neighbors and community leaders. They have been named the July recipients of the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award. Iowa Acting Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Steve Moline will present the award to the Mitteness family on Tuesday, July 30 at the family’s farm located at 1102 180th St., Russell.

“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 Mitteness’ 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:

Award to be presented on July 30 at the Mitteness home in rural Russell

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

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that Rick and Paige Mitteness, who have a cow-calf herd on their farm near Russell in Wayne County, have been named the July winners of the “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”

Iowa Acting Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Steve Moline will present the award to the Mitteness family on Tuesday, July 30 at the family’s farm located at 1102 180th St., Russell. 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 July 30th.

“It is great to be able to recognize Rick and Paige Mitteness with the Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award and highlight the deep care they have for their animals while also being outstanding neighbors,” Northey said. “Iowa is fortunate to have many livestock farmers who take great pride in caring for their animals and the land as well as serving their community.”

In addition to their Angus cow-calf herd, the Mitteness family raises corn, soybeans and alfalfa on their farm. The also sell club calves to area youth. They have one son, Aaron, who also helps on the farm.

In addition to their work on the farm, both Rick and Paige are active in the community and ag industry. They are members of the Iowa Angus Association and Rick served a number of years as a member of the Wayne County Fair Board.

They were nominated for the award by their neighbor Martha Allen. In her nomination she said, “As a friend and a neighbor I have seen first-hand the dedication and commitment they have for their family, neighbors, environment and community.”

Allen also highlighted the priority placed on conservation by the Mitteness family. “Rick is very conservation minded and implements numerous practices to reduce the potential for soil erosion. He practices conservation tillage, uses crop rotation, has installed grassed waterways and buffer strips and has built terraces on his farm.”

In closing her nomination Allen said, “The Mitteness’ represent what the Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award is all about, being a good neighbor, being a good steward of the land and their livestock and being active community members.”

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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