Larson family of Ellsworth named Good Farm Neighbors

06-24-2009 in Good Farm Neighbor

(June 24, 2009) Pam Larson of Ellsworth is the recipient of the June “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”  Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will present the award Monday, June 29 at the Larson farm near Ellsworth.

“Pam and the entire Larson family clearly demonstrate what this award is about,” Northey says.  “They do an outstanding job caring for their animals, taking care of the land and serving their neighbors.”

Larson’s neighbor Noel Thompson agreed that the family is a deserving winner.

“Pam, her husband Steve, and son Chad care for their turkeys and the land those turkeys help fertilize with a high degree of integrity and dedication.  It’s the same story for Pam’s work in the community.  I have been at many meetings where Pam’s pager goes off and she immediately leaves to join fellow EMTs for a call to an accident on the Interstate or a medical emergency at a rural home.  She is tireless giver.”

Pam, her husband Steve and son Chad own and operate a 20,000-bird turkey farm between Ellsworth and Jewell.  Pam and Steve are second generation turkey farmers and Chad is the third generation.

Pam is also active in the Iowa Turkey Federation and is a past board member for the federation.  She also involved in her local church and is a volunteer EMT in her community.

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 care for their farms, neighbors, and the environment.  It is named in memory of Gary Wergin, a long-time WHO Radio farm broadcaster who created the award.

WHO Radio’s “Big Show” will broadcast live from the Larson Farm Monday, June 29 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

The farm is located at 3286 Tollman Ave.  From I-35, take exit No. 133 (Hwy. 175) west through Ellsworth; turn right onto Tollman Ave. (first gravel road west of Ellworth); the Larson farm is the first farm located just north of Hwy. 175.

To nominate someone for the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award, write a letter or e-mail explaining why the farmer is deserving of the 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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