DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that the Dennis and Kevin Jipsen of Lewis in Cass County are the winners of the May “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”
“Dennis and Kevin, like other farmers across the state, always go the extra mile with their farm and their neighbors,” Northey said. “They exemplify the care for the land and concern for their neighbors that this award was designed to recognize. They are dedicated to the environment and bettering Iowa.”
In nominating the Jipsen’s for the award, their neighbor Marie Thompson-Devin said, “Dennis and Kevin go above and beyond with the care of their facilities, land, and neighbors. Good neighbors are hard to find, great neighbors like the Jipsen’s are an inspiration.”
The Jipsen’s have a cattle feedlot and have about 2,500 acres of row-crop. Dennis is a local seed dealer and Kevin works for the City of Griswold as the Public Works Director. They are a second and third generation, father and son team.
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 Jipsen farm on Thursday, May 8. Bill Northey 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@iowaAgriculture.gov.
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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