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DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that the Brian and Deb Sampson from rural Nevada in Story County are the winners of the May “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”
Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Karey Claghorn will present the award to the Sampson family on Monday, May 9th at the Sampson’s home at 15679 600th Ave., Nevada. The “Big Show,” which airs on both WHO and WMT radio, will broadcast live at the presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
“Brian and Deb just another example of the many farm families located throughout the state that take great pride in caring for their animals and their land while also being actively involved in their community,” Northey said. “This is a family that has gone above and beyond to do what is right and it is great that we are able to recognize them for all their work.”
The Sampson’s feed about 1000 head of cattle per year and also farm about 1200 acres where they raise corn, seed corn and soybeans. They have two children, Alex and Brice.
Bill Couser, a former Good Farm Neighbor Award winner, nominated Brian and Deb for the award, sighting both their concern for their animals and the environment. In his nomination he said, “They have also built two hoop barns recently to provide creature comfort and be more environmentally friendly to the location. Wind breaks have been planted to the north to protect the cattle and the building site from the strong north winds that occur during winter months.”
Couser also highlighted their work in the community, saying “When you think about family and community, these two come right to the top. Brian has been involved in many duties of his church, served and is still on the Heart of Iowa Coop board of directors, has been a director of the Story County Cattlemen’s for over 20 years, director of the Story County Farm Bureau Board, and served as school board president for many years.”
Couser closed his nomination by saying, “As with many farm families I could go on and on. They are someone we would all like to have as a neighbor.”
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.
Northey, a corn and soybean farmer from Spirit Lake, is serving his second term as Secretary of Agriculture. His priorities as Secretary of Agriculture are promoting the use of science and new technologies to better care for our air, soil and water, and reaching out to all Iowans to tell the story of Iowa agriculture. |
