Secretary Naig Honors Max Schmidt with the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

01-21-2020 in Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Keely Coppess
515-281-3375 or 515-326-1616 (cell)
Keely.Coppess@iowaagriculture.gov

Max Schmidt, pork producer from Howard County, will be honored at the 2020 Iowa Pork Congress

DES MOINES, Iowa (Jan. 20, 2020) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to Max Schmidt, owner of KMAX Farms in Elma, Iowa. The award will be given at the Iowa Pork Congress in Des Moines on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 11:30 a.m. at the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers booth, No. 1517.

“The Iowa Pork Congress is a fitting event to recognize an outstanding pig farmer like Max Schmidt,” said Secretary Naig. “The event brings together Iowa’s pig farmers to network and learn. As past president of the organization, I look forward to recognizing Max Schmidt in front of his friends and peers for his dedication to animal care and commitment to environmental stewardship.”

KMAX Farms is a wean-to-finish swine operation in Howard County. Schmidt has demonstrated leadership by recognizing the commitment that his employees have to the farm. Over time, Schmidt has created a partnership for KMAX Farms that allows the employees to be involved in the business.

The farm uses multiple practices that positively impacts soil health and water quality on the land where they grow corn and soybeans. They use minimum and no-till soil management to prevent run-off. They have also added waterways and grid soil sampling to their conservation practices. KMAX Farms uses precision and variable rate manure applications to ensure that fertilizer is applied efficiently.

Schmidt has served in various leadership positions on the county level and as the past president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association. Schmidt was nominated for the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award by his friend, business partner and current President of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Trent Thiele.

The Iowa Pork Congress will be held Jan. 22-23, 2020, at the Iowa Events Center. More information about the event can be found at iowaporkcongress.org.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award is made possible thanks to financial support of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers. This award recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in caring for the environment, 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.

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About the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Led by Secretary Mike Naig, the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship serves the rural and urban residents that call Iowa home. Through its 12 diverse bureaus, the Department ensures animal health, food safety and consumer protection. It also promotes conservation efforts to preserve our land for the next generation. Learn more at iowaagriculture.gov.

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