DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that Tom and Judy Barrett of Dallas Center in Dallas County are the winners of the February “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”

“The Barrett’s, like so many of our livestock farmers across the state, are not only great farmers that take care of their animals and the land, but also looks out for their neighbors,” Northey said.  “They constantly go out of their way to help their neighbors while working to better Iowa and the environment, they deserve this recognition.”

In nominating the Barrett’s for the award, their neighbor Lloyd Jungman said, “The Barrett’s own a Century Farm and are greatly respected by the neighbors.  Any emergency in the community or by a neighbor would find them there doing everything possible to assist.”

The Barrett’s have a 300-400 feeder cattle operation with trench silos.  Tom and Judy, along with Tom’s parents Harold and Lilia Barrett, farm over 1000 acres in Dallas County. 

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award is made possible through the financial support of The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers. WHO Radio’s Big Show will broadcast live from the Barrett farm on Wednesday, February 13.  Deputy Secretary Karey Claghorn will present the award to the family during the broadcast.

The award recognizes Iowa livestock producers who care for their operations and their neighbors and is named for Gary Wergin, a former WHO Radio broadcaster who helped create the award.

To nominate, a neighbor 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 emailed to tess.capps@idals.state.ia.us.

Northey, a corn and soybean farmer from Spirit Lake, is serving his first term as Secretary of Agriculture. His priorities as Secretary of Agriculture are the opportunities in renewable energy, conservation and stewardship, and telling the story of Iowa agriculture.

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