Dustin Vande Hoef
Communications Director
515/281-3375 or 515/326-1616 (cell)
or Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov
DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that the Wayne Hunerdosse Family, who farm south of Indianola in Warren County, are the winners of the July “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.” Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will present the award to Hunerdosse family at their farm near Indianola on Tuesday, July 6.
“Wayne is a model in how he cares for his animals, the land and his community and now his son is following his father’s example on and off the farm,” Northey said. “The Hunerdosse Family is another example of the many farm families across the state that help make Iowa a great place to live.”
Wayne and his son Jory operate a 120 head cow/calf operation and also raise corn, soybeans and hay.
The Hunerdosse family was nominated for the award by Allen and Phyllis Halvorsen saying, “We have lived near the Hunerdosse family for 44 years and they will drop whatever they are doing to help anyone, be it field work, farm accident or fire.”
Their nomination was also supported by Jeff Becker, who has worked for the family for 17 years. Becker highlighted the great lengths they go to take care of the land, such as caring for terraces and waterways and proper handling of manure.
Wayne is active at the Medora Methodist Church and also been involved with 4-H and served at Superintendent of the Warren County Fair. Jory is a firefighter and EMT.
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.
WHO Radio’s Big Show will broadcast live from the Hunerdosse farm, 22718 Highway 69, Indianola from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 6th.
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.
