Struthers Family to Receive Good Farm Neighbor Award

10-07-2016 in Awards

West Des Moines, Iowa – October 7, 2016 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) commends the Struthers family of Story County for their outstanding efforts as a neighbors and community leaders. They have been named recipients of the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will present the award to the family on Monday, October 17th. The ceremony will be at the Struthers farm located at 72865 310th St. Collins, IA. 50055.

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:

STRUTHERS FAMILY FROM STORY COUNTY NAMED WERGIN GOOD FARM NEIGHBOR AWARD WINNER

Award to be presented Oct. 17 at the Struthers farm near Collins

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

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that the Dave and Elaine Struthers family from Story County has been named the winner of the Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will present the award to the family on Monday, Oct. 17. The ceremony will be at the Struthers’ farm located at 72865 310th St., Collins. 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.

“Dave and Elaine are farmers that do things right on the farm and how they care for their animals while also being very active in their community and statewide in ag organizations. I always enjoy recognizing deserving families like the Struthers and highlighting them as a great example of the types of livestock farms and livestock farmers we have all across the state,” Northey said.

The Struthers have a farrow-to-finish hog business and also raise corn and soybeans on their family farm. They have four children.

The family was nominated for the award by Jamie Waddingham, the Collins-Maxwell Ag Education Instructor. In his nomination Waddingham highlighted the family’s involvement in the community and in state agriculture organizations.

Dave has been involved in various committees at Collins-Maxwell Community School and has brought piglets to the elementary school and hosted elementary classes on his farm. He has also worked with the Collins-Maxwell FFA by providing land for a seed test plot and allowed them to use his pigs a practice for livestock judging. He is also involved in the Collins Area People On Old Tractors (CAPOOT) tractor ride.

Struthers is a member of the Story County Pork Producers and has served on the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) Board of Directors since 2009 and served as the IPPA president in 2015. He has also been involved with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, winning the organization’s Outstanding Young Farmer award in 2001.

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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