Posted Sept. 24, 2013

The “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award” was presented Sept. 20 to the Hora family of Washington.

Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig presented the award to Kurt and Heather Hora at the family’s farm in Washington Co. The Horas have a wean-to-finish hog operation and raise corn and soybeans. The couple has three children: Presley, Elizabeth and John.

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

“Kurt and Heather are great farmers who care for their land and their animals and who are also active on the local, state and national level to help support Iowa’s agriculture industry,” Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said in announcing the September award winners. “It is great to be able to recognize another young family that is raising livestock and doing things right on their farm.”

In addition to their work on the farm, both Kurt and Heather are active in local and statewide organizations. Locally they are involved with 4-H and county Extension as well as the Washington County Pork Producers. Kurt has been very active in the Iowa Corn Growers Association and currently serves on the board of directors and Heather serves on the Iowa Pork Producers Association board.

They also regularly welcome visitors, media and foreign guests to the farm to help educate and showcase Iowa agriculture.

They were nominated for the award by Mindy Williamson from the Iowa Corn Growers Association.

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.