Currie Family to Receive June Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

06-23-2014 in Events

West Des Moines, Iowa – June 23, 2014 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) commends Mark and Mary Currie of Sac County for their outstanding efforts as neighbors and community leaders. They have been named the June recipients of the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will present the award to the Currie family on Monday, June 30 at family’s farm, 1254 200th St., Schaller.

“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 Curries 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:

MARK AND MARY CURRIE FROM SAC COUNTY NAMED WERGIN GOOD FARM NEIGHBOR AWARD WINNERS

Award to be presented June 30 at the Currie farm near Schaller

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

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that Mark and Mary Currie who raise turkeys in rural Sac County have been named the June winners of the “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will present the award to the Currie family on Monday, June 30 at family’s farm, 1254 200th St., Schaller.  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 June 30th.

“It is great to be able to recognize some of the outstanding turkey farmers we have in Iowa during June ‘Turkey Lovers’ month,” Northey said.  “Mike and Mary Currie, along with their children, do a great job caring for their animals and their land while also serving their community.”

The Currie family raises turkeys for Hillshire and also has a row crop operation.  Mike and Mary have four children, Jared, Nick, Mike and Kayla.  Jared and Nick are active in the farming operation.

In addition to their work on the farm, the Currie family supports a wide variety of community activities and is active in their church as well.  The also take great pride to make sure their land and buildings are well maintained and use a variety of conservation practices to protect the soil.

The family was nominated for the award by Sam Wandrey, who owns Lobo’s Restaurant in Schaller, saying, “The Currie’s are an awesome family that take care of the livestock, the environment and they are strong supporters of local businesses.”

Wandrey added in his nomination, “The entire family is always ready to lend a hand to a neighbor or if help is needed at a community event.  They are just great people!”

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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