DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that Steven and Jan Carlson of Stratford are the winners of the December “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.” Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will present the award to the Carlson family on Friday, December 4th at the Vintage Parlor, 908 Commercial St., in Stratford.
“The Carlson family understands what it takes to be great farms and great neighbors, and put it into practice,” Northey said. “They go above and beyond in their care of their animals, their land and their neighbors.”
The Carlson’s have a cow-calf operation and also raise corn and soybeans on their farm near Stratford in Hamilton County.
Their neighbor Terrianne Larson nominated them for the award sighting their care for their animals as well as a willingness to go out of their way to help their neighbors. “Steve is an excellent cattleman; his care of cows and heifers during calving shows it’s a labor of love for him,” Larson said.
This fall Steve also provided 100 small bales of hay for Larson and other neighbors that have horses. Steve doesn’t use small bales, but was aware that hay was short this fall due to the weather and wanted to help his neighbors.
The family is also active in the local Methodist church and 4-H.
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 Vintage Parlor, 908 Commercial St., Stratford from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, December 4th.
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.
Bill Northey is serving his first term as Secretary of Agriculture. Northey is a fourth-generation corn and soybean farmer from Spirit Lake, Iowa. His priorities as Secretary of Agriculture are expanding opportunities in renewable energy, encouraging conservation and stewardship, and telling the story of Iowa agriculture.
