Current News

Iowa Farmer Today Publications invests in the coalition

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – April 18, 2012 – Iowa Farmer Today Publications, a company focused on providing timely agricultural news and information to Iowa’s farmers, affirms its support of Iowa agriculture through an investment in the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF).

The financial commitment made by Iowa Farmer Today Publications will assist CSIF in its efforts to provide direct assistance to livestock farmers as they strive to grow their farms successfully and responsibly.

“We’re extremely grateful for the contribution made by Iowa Farmer Today Publications to the Coalition and deeply appreciative of their continued support of Iowa agriculture,” says Brian Waddingham, Executive Director of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers. “Our work is focused on helping farm families stay on the farm raising livestock and the investment made by Iowa Farmer Today Publications underscores the value of our efforts.”

“Helping young farmers is important to Iowa Farmer Today and supporting the Coalition is a fantastic way to accomplish that. We truly appreciate the efforts of the Coalition and are proud to work with them to help grow Iowa’s livestock industry,” says Terry Reilly, Associate Publisher and Business Development Manager for Iowa Farmer Today Publications.

Iowa Farmer Today Publications home office is located in Cedar Rapids. The company’s main product is the Iowa Farmer Today, a tabloid sized newspaper distributed free of charge to 70,000 farm owners and operators in and around Iowa each week. The company also publishes Missouri Farmer Today and the Midwest Marketer, a weekly, tab sized beef publication. Farmers who would like to receive a complimentary subscription to Iowa Farmer Today are encouraged to call 800-475-6655 or visit www.iowafarmertoday.com.

The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers was created by farmers to help farmers raise livestock successfully and responsibly. It’s a joint partnership involving the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Turkey Federation and Midwest Dairy Association.

The non-profit, non-partisan organization provides assistance to farmers at no cost. CSIF does not lobby or develop policy. Farm families wanting a helping hand can contact the Coalition at 1-800-932-2436 or visit www.supportfarmers.com.

Christensen family receives Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Contact: Brian Waddingham, Executive Director, 1-800-932-2436

The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) applauds the Christensen family of Ogden, IA for being selected as the March ‘Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award’ winner. The award was presented to the Christensen family at their farm in rural Boone County. A special thank you goes out to the Boone County Pork Producers for providing lunch.

“Our family is proud to be involved in agriculture. I don’t think we do anything different than any other farmer raising livestock. It is a real honor to receive this award and we feel we’re the rule rather than the exception when it comes to being good neighbors,” said Craig Christensen.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award, sponsored by 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.

The Christensen family, made up of four generations of brothers and cousins, operates a swine, egg layer and row crop farm in Boone County. They previously had also raised turkeys. Rod and Julie Pierce nominated the Christensen’s for the award noting “the entire family has been very active on commodity boards for the pork and turkey industries throughout the generations, gladly serving at the local, county, state and national level in various leadership positions.”

“It’s great to recognize a fourth generation farm family like the Christensen’s who have gone above and beyond to do things right on the farm. The Christensen’s are passionate about agriculture, committed to caring for their livestock and focused on being good neighbors which is evident from the minute you drive onto their farm,” said CSIF Executive Director, Brian Waddingham.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award, presented by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Iowa Ag Radio Network in partnership with CSIF, is presented nine times annually to an Iowa farm family who raises livestock. It’s given in honor of distinguished WHO Radio farm broadcaster Gary Wergin and recognizes families who take pride in being good neighbors and stewards of the land.

To nominate a deserving livestock farmer or farm family, visit www.supportfarmers.com/goodneighbor or contact Waddingham at bwaddingham@supportfarmers.com or call at (515) 225-5531.

The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers was created by farmers to help farmers raise livestock responsibly and successfully. It’s a joint partnership involving the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Turkey Federation and Midwest Dairy Association.

Ogden family named Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award recipient

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Contact: Brian Waddingham, Executive Director
Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers
515-225-5531 / bwaddingham@supportfarmers.com

West Des Moines, Iowa – April 5, 2012 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) commends the Christensen family of Boone County for their outstanding efforts as a neighbors and community leaders. Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Jay Johnson will present the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award Wednesday, April 11 at the Christensen family farm, 1355 H Ave., near Ogden.

“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 farmers like the Christensen's 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:

THE CHRISTENSEN FAMILIES FROM OGDEN NAMED APRIL WERGIN GOOD FARM NEIGHBOR AWARD WINNER
Award to be presented to 4 generations of brothers and cousins on April 11 at the Christensen’s farm near Ogden

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

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that four generations of brothers and cousins from the Christensen family from rural Ogden in Boone county have been named the winners of the April “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.” The Rex, Roger, Daryl, Craig and Cory Christensen and their wives raise pork and also previously raised turkeys.

Jay Johnson, the Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, will present the award to Christensen’s on Wednesday, April 11th at the Christensen family farm, 1355 H Ave., near Ogden. 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 Christensen’s represent family farming at its best, with several generations working together to care for their animals, tend the land and serve their local community,” Northey said. “The Good Farm Neighbor Award is a great opportunity to recognize farm families like this that make Iowa agriculture so special.”

The Christensen family operates a farrow to finish hog operation and also raise row crops. They previously also raised turkeys.

The family was nominated for the award by their neighbors Rod and Julie Pierce. In their nomination the Pierce’s said, “The entire family has been very active on commodity boards for the pork and turkey industries throughout the generations, gladly serving at the local, county, state and national level in various leadership positions.”

The Pierce’s added, “The Christensen families understand the importance of hometowns and solid community relationship and they take it to heart.”

In closing their nomination the Pierce’s said, “The Christensen families lead by example and with genuine enthusiasm. They plan, they record, and they analyze to get the best results. They work hard, they prosper, they give back. They enjoy community and they are good neighbors. The Christensen’s are very worthy of 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.

Northey, a corn and soybean farmer from Spirit Lake, is serving his second term as Secretary of Agriculture. His priorities as Secretary of Agriculture are promoting the use of science and new technologies to better care for our air, soil and water, and reaching out to all Iowans to tell the story of Iowa agriculture.