Butch and Bonnie Sleezer, together with their family, Dana and Nicky Sleezer and Derrick Sleezer, were recently chosen as recipients of the Iowa Good Neighbor Award.

The award, sponsored by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Ag Radio Network, honors each month a livestock producer who is simply being a good neighbor. The Sleezers received the October Good Neighbor Award. Pork producers Dennis and Terri Schmitt of Early received the June Good Neighbor Award.

Nominated by neighbors Tim and Mary Bierman, the Sleezers live in rural Aurelia in Cherokee County and operate a farrow-to-finish operation. The family business includes grain farming, a 700 farrow-to-finish swine operation and a boar stud.

Tim Bierman said that the Sleezers are very conscientious of what they are doing to be good neighbors and that they are very involved in the community. Bierman also noted that the Sleezers work to protect and enhance the environment by planting windbreaks around their farm and keep the operation clean and the livestock facilities well ventilated.

An award plaque is given monthly to an Iowa livestock producer who exhibits the qualities of a good neighbor. These are qualities that not only show great care and concern for their animals, but for their environment and neighbors as well.