A farm family from Montgomery County received the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award on Jan. 26 at the Iowa Pork Congress in Des Moines.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey presented the award to Kirk, Kent and Kevin Swanson of Red Oak.

“The Swanson family does things right in how they care for their animals, protect the environment and serve their neighbors and community. It is great to be able to recognize a deserving family like this in front of their peers during Iowa Pork Congress.  Iowa is fortunate to have outstanding livestock farmers like the Swanson family all across the state and I encourage anyone to consider nominating a livestock farmer in your community for this distinguished award,” Northey said.

The Swanson’s own 4 K Farms. They have a farrow-to-finish hog business with 20 boar studs and also sell semen to other hog farmers. The family has planted a wind break and also uses cover crops, buffer strips and terraces to prevent erosion and protect water quality.

The family was nominated for the award by neighbor and fellow pork producer Dennis Carlson. In his nomination, Carlson highlighted the family’s care for the environment and also their active involvement in the community.

The “Big Show,” which airs on both WHO and WMT radio, broadcast live from the presentation.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award is made possible through the financial support of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers.

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