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 Doug and Laurie Doran Family, who farm Beaver in Boone County, are the winners of the September “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.” Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Karey Claghorn will present the award to Doran family at their farm on Wednesday, Sept. 29.
“Doug and Laurie are another great example of livestock farmers in Iowa who daily exhibit great care for their animals, the land and the community they live in,” Northey said. “The Doran family epitomizes the many farm families in Iowa who make our state great.”
The Doran family operates a cow/calf operation and also raises corn, soybeans and hay. Doug and Laurie have six children, three who still live at home.
The Doran family was nominated for the award by Betty McCoy saying, “The family will do anything to help their neighbors. They are the first to stop what they are doing to help someone else.”
Their nomination was also supported by Van Harden, who said “The Doran’s are not only extremely conscientious toward neighbors when farming, they go out of their way to help anyone and everyone, and have been that way for years.”
In addition to their work on the farm, Doug has been on both the state and county cattlemen’s board served on the county extension council. Laurie has been involved with 4-H and both are active in their church.
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 Doran farm, 1181 B Ave., Beaver from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 29th.
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.
