DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that Dr. Steven and Julie Karber of Jefferson are the winners of the November “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.” Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Karey Claghorn will present the award to the Karbers on Monday, November 9th at the Greene County Extension Office in Jefferson.
“Doctor Karber and his wife Julie epitomize the idea of caring for their animals and their community in the right way, which this award was designed to recognize,” Northey said. “They are leaders in the sheep industry as well as the local community.”
The Karbers raise sheep in the Jefferson area and have been active in creating new, value-added markets for their products.
The Karbers were nominated for the award by Craig Hertel, the Regional Extension Education Director in Jefferson. “They have been a real leader in advancing their products, more than just selling lamb. Dr. Karber regularly grills, cooks and demonstrates the quality of their product,” Hertel said in nominating them for the award.
Besides their efforts to promote the sheep industry, the Karbers are very active in the community. Dr. Karber is a medical doctor with an active practice. They also have been involved in 4-H and other local organizations.
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 helped create the award.
WHO Radio’s Big Show will broadcast live from the Greene County Extension Office, 104 W. Jefferson, in Jefferson, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on November 9th.
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.
Northey, a corn and soybean farmer from Spirit Lake, is serving his first term as Secretary of Agriculture. His priorities as Secretary of Agriculture are the opportunities in renewable energy, conservation and stewardship, and telling the story of Iowa agriculture.
