We’ve all heard the bogeyman stories about living close to a pig farm. But just like the bogeyman, those stories are a myth.

One way to dispel that myth is to hold up Iowa pig farmers who are doing a great job at taking care of
their pigs and their land, as well as taking care of their communities. You can do that by nominating a pig farmer by Nov. 15 for the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award is presented by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Iowa Ag Radio Network and is managed by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF). The Iowa Pork Producers Association is one of the key funders of the work done by CSIF.

Besides managing the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award, CSIF works with Iowa livestock farm families to advocate and help implement on-farm best management practices for raising livestock responsibly and successfully. Since its inception, CSIF has worked with 3400 farm families.

“Since the inception of the Good Farm Neighbor Award 16 years ago, 147 Iowa farm families have been recognized for going the extra mile,” said Gabrielle Glenister, CSIF assistant field specialist. “There are so many deserving farmers who are engaging in the latest conservation and animal care practices and we encourage all Iowans to nominate those good folks for this award.”

Make that nomination online at https://www.SupportFarmers.com/program/good-farm-neighboraward/

The award is given to families who raise any species of livestock or poultry. The winners are celebrated via a live broadcast on The Big Show, which airs on WHO and WMT radio. Other local media often join in on the celebration, too, as the event brings in Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture, friends and neighbors, and commodity leaders.