DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that Barry Anderson family from Greenville in Clay County has been named the winner of the “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”
Jay Johnson, the Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, will present the award to Anderson family on Thursday, May 10th at the Legends Events Center, 422 1st Ave E., in Spencer. The “Big Show,” which airs on both WHO and WMT radio, will broadcast live from the presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
“The Good Farm Neighbor award is an opportunity to celebrate the many Iowa livestock farmers who take great pride in also caring for their neighbors and their entire community,” Northey said. “Barry and his family are another example of the many farm families in this state who go above and beyond to care for their animals, the land and their neighbors.”
Barry and his wife Dana, along with their daughters Megan and Taylor and son Christopher, have two hog buildings and a small cattle operation. They also have a row crop operation.
The family was nominated for the award by Leo Stephas, president of the Clay County Farm Bureau. In the nomination Stephas said, “Barry is a great neighbor and community member. He has taught his family to be volunteers, help others and always do what is right. Barry and his family spend countless hours helping others, which is the core of just about every farmer you meet.”
Stephas also highlighted the Anderson’s work for the Spencer Community School Foundation, activity at the Clay County Fair, service on the Board of both the Clay County Farm Bureau and Clay County Pork Producers, in addition to a number of other activities.
In closing the nomination Stephas said, “Barry’s commitment to agriculture is like no other. He understands the importance of teaching people about where their food comes from. He is a role model for young people. His work ethic and responsibility to his community goes above and beyond.”
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.
