O’Connell Family to Receive June Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

06-15-2015 in Good Farm Neighbor

West Des Moines, Iowa – June 15, 2015 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) commends the O’Connell family of Delaware County for their outstanding efforts as a neighbors and community leaders. They have been named the June recipients of the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award. Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the award to the family on Thursday, June 18 at the family’s farm at 2462 210th St., near Earlville.

“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 O’Connells 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:

PAT AND MARILYN O’CONNELL FROM DELAWARE COUNTY NAMED WERGIN GOOD FARM NEIGHBOR AWARD WINNERS

Award to be presented April 13 at the O’Connell farm near Earlville

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

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that Pat and Marilyn O’Connell, who have a dairy farm in Delaware County, have been named the winners of the “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”

Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the award to the O’Connell family on Thursday, June 18 at the family’s farm at 2462 210th St., Earlville. 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.

“June Dairy Month is an ideal time to recognize dairy farmers like the O’Connell family that work every day to care for their animals, protect the land, help their neighbors and serve their community. Iowa is fortunate to have livestock farmers all across this state that go above and beyond to ensure the best possible care for their animals,” Northey said.

The O’Connell family have a 65 head dairy and also have 30 head of stock cows where they sell the calves as feeders. They also raise corn and alfalfa and have pasture ground. They have four children and they all have been involved on the farm.

In addition to their work on the farm, the family is very active in the community. Both Pat and Marilyn are active with the Delaware County Dairy Council. Marilyn is currently serving as president of the council and Pat is a past-president. Currently, Pat oversees the council’s ice cream machines that are used for a variety of promotional and community events throughout the year The family is also active in their church and local school district.

The O’Connell’s were nominated for the award by Chris Freland, who is manager of industry relations for the Midwest Dairy Association.

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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