Wiley Family to Receive Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

03-23-2016 in Good Farm Neighbor

West Des Moines, Iowa – March 23, 2016 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) commends the Wiley family of Benton County for their outstanding efforts as a neighbors and community leaders. They have been named recipients of the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will present the award to the Wiley family on Friday, March 25 at the family’s farm at 5067 29th Ave., Walker.

“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 Wileys 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:

WILEY FAMILY FROM BENTON COUNTY NAMED WERGIN GOOD FARM NEIGHBOR AWARD WINNERS

Award to be presented March 25 at Wiley farm

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

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that the Todd and Denise Wiley family from Benton 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 family on Friday, March 25. The ceremony will be at the Wiley farm located at 5067 29th Ave., Walker. 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 Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award was created to help recognize a family like the Wiley’s that do a great job caring for their animals, protecting the land and serving their neighbors and community,” Northey said. “It is important that we highlight the important role livestock farming plays in our state and in our communities and recognize the families that care for those animals.”

Todd and Denise have four children and operate a farrow to finish hog farm. The have around 1100 sows and market between 27,000 and 28,000 pigs a year.

The family was nominated by Louise Fleming, the Vinton-Shellsburg High School Ag Education/FFA advisor, who highlighted their care for their animals and service to their community. Fleming stated, “Todd is very invested in the future of agriculture, particularly in swine production. He is truly up-to-date with his production practices and does so in the most humanely, environmentally and economically means possible.”

The family is also very active in the community. Todd currently serves on the Benton County Board of Supervisors, as a member of Vinton-Shellsburg High School Agriculture Advisory Committee, on the Board of Farmer’s Savings Bank and Trust and as a livestock evaluation coach for a county livestock judging team. The family also is active in educating the community about modern livestock production and regularly brings animals into schools and donates them to the FFA to farrow as part of an exhibit at the county fair.

Fleming added in her nomination, “Todd has been completely involved and completely invested in the community. He practices servant leadership and never fails to step up for something he believes in.”

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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