Richards Named December Good Farm Neighbor Award Recipients

12-09-2013 in Good Farm Neighbor

West Des Moines, Iowa – December 9, 2013 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) commends Jim and Lynda Richards of Warren County for their outstanding efforts as a neighbors and community leaders. They have been named the December recipients of the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will present the award to the family on Monday, December 16 at the Community United Presbyterian Church, 315 N. Vine St., in Hartford.

“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 Richards 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:

JIM AND LYNDA RICHARDS FROM WARREN COUNTY NAMED WERGIN GOOD FARM NEIGHBOR AWARD WINNERS

Award to be presented Dec. 16 at Community United Presbyterian Church in Hartford

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that Jim and Lynda Richards, who farm and raise Angus cattle in rural Warren County, have been named the December winners of the “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will present the award to the family on Monday, December 16 at the Community United Presbyterian Church, 315 N. Vine St., in Hartford.  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 Dec. 16th.

“Jim and Lynda do things right on their farm.  They care for the land and their animals while also serving in their community,” Northey said.  “It is great to be able to recognize farmers like the Richards who do so much to make our state and rural communities a great place to live.”

The Richards have an Angus beef cow herd and feed out the calves.  They also raise corn and soybeans as well as have hay and pasture ground.

Their neighbor Don Russell nominated the Richards for the award.  He highlighted their work on the farm and in the community in nominating them for the award.

“They are avid no-till farmers with a mind for conservation.  Jim is very focused on being a good steward of the land and takes great pride in how he manages his row crop, hay and pasture ground,” Russell said in his nomination.

They are also active in the community, with Jim serving on the Warren County NRCS Committee and Board of Directors of a local bank and Lynda serves as Chair of the Carlisle Area Endowment Committee.  They are both active in their church as well.

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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