Posted Dec. 4, 2013
A diversified Hamilton County farm family recently received the “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award” for November.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey presented the award to the Carroll Ose family on Nov. 21 at Titan Machinery near Williams.
Ose, his wife, Judy, and their three children run a wean-to-finish hog business and raise corn, soybeans and seed corn on their farm near Blairsburg.
“Iowa is fortunate to have many families like the Ose’s who are committed to doing things the right way on their farm, but who are also active in their community and work hard to make rural Iowa a great place to live,” Northey said.
The family was nominated for the award by their neighbor, Randy Greufe.
“Carroll is very involved in the communities where he lives and does business,” Greufe said. “He helps make these communities better places to work and live.”
Ose has been very active in supporting tree plantings in Hamilton County and has planted over 1,000 trees over the years in order to better protect the environment. Ose also is involved in the Blairsburg Co-op, Van Diest Medical Center, Lions Club and Hamilton County NRCS and FSA committees and other organizations.
“Carroll Ose is willing to help his neighbors and community members whenever possible,” Greufe added. “If there is a need in the community, he is usually there to help.”
The “Big Show,” which airs on both WHO and WMT radio, carried the award presentation live.
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 e-mailed to Communications@iowaAgriculture.gov.