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For Immediate Release: Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018
Award to be presented Tuesday, Oct. 16 at
the Hedrick Community Center
DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced
that Jim and Elaine Campbell from Keokuk County have been named the winners of
the Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award. The Campbells have a swine finishing
operation and also raise corn and soybeans.
Naig will present the award to the family on Tuesday,
Oct. 16. The ceremony will be at the
Hedrick Community Center, 109 N. Main St., Hedrick. 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.
“Congratulations to the Campbells, another deserving farm
family that do a great job caring for their animals, protecting the environment
and serving their community. They are a family that is always looking for ways
to do an even better job on their farm, including installing solar panels to
reduce their environmental impact,” Naig said.
The family was nominated for the award by Greg Brenneman
who knows the family through his work with ISU Extension. Brenneman highlighted
the family’s commitment environmental stewardship, animal husbandry and
community involvement in his nomination.
The application also mentioned how the family has
installed solar panels on their swine building to help meet their electrical
needs. Jim is Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) Plus certified in order to provide
the best possible care for his animal while also protecting food safety and
public health.
The family has a commitment to conservation. “Jim has
used conservation tillage for many years in his corn and soybean production. He
also has worked diligently in trying different nitrogen management practices,
including in-season nitrogen application on corn and the use of late spring
nitrate tests,” Brenneman added.
In addition to working on the farm, the family is active
in the community. Jim has served on the Southeast Iowa Ag Research Association
(SEIARA) board, including a term as board president. He was active while the
association was raising fund to acquire additional land for ag research by Iowa
State University.
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.
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For more information, contact Dustin Vande Hoef, (515) 281-3375 or (515) 326-1616 (cell) or Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov
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