About 100 family, friends and neighbors gathered today near Clarinda in Page County for the presentation of the “Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award” to the Curtis and Brenda Meier family.

Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig presented the award at the Meier farm and the “Big Show,” which airs on both WHO and WMT radio, broadcast live.

Curtis and Brenda farm with their son, Michael, and daughter-in-law, Angie, and daughter, Leah, and son-in-law, Kevin. They have five grandchildren. The Meiers are the first Page County recipients of the Good Farm Neighbor Award and were humble in their acceptance.

“We try to be good neighbors, which is what neighbors are for. It was a surprise to us, but we’re grateful for the award,” Brenda said.

“I’m not real sure we’re deserving, but it’s quite an honor to receive this award,” Curtis said. “I’ve known about [the award] for quite a few years and always thought it was a prestigious award and a lot of fine people in the livestock industry have received it before me. It means a lot to me and the family.”

The Meiers have a diversified farm raising hogs, cattle, corn, soybeans and rye. The family is very active in the community. Curtis is a past president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association and is currently vice president of market development in his second tour of duty on the board. He also has contributed time to the National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council. Locally, Meier is a commissioner with the Page County Soil and Water Conservation District and has served on the Page County Fair board. The family is quite active in their local church.

The family was nominated for the award by fellow Page County pig farmer Dennis Liljedahl.

“Even though Curtis has many demands on his time from both his farming operation and his volunteer positions, he is always willing to help with an event in our county,” he said. “Curtis’ family is committed to leaving the land better than they found it. They have extensively terraced their land and use no-till.”

A pork lunch, grilled by the Page County Pork Producers, was served to the attendees for the presentation,

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.

-30-