Neil Albertson Family Named Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award Winners
ES MOINES -- Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that the Neil Albertson family from Mahaska County has been named the winners of the Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award. Neil and his wife Lisa farm with their sons Travis and Casey and raise breeding stock for show pigs and commercial free range production.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will present the award to the family on Monday, March 20, at the Fremont Community Center, 117 IA-23, in Fremont. The “Big Show,” which airs on both WHO and WMT radio, will broadcast live from the presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
“The Albertson’s are a multi-generation farm family that is doing things right in caring for their animals, protecting the environment and serving their neighbors and community. Iowa is fortunate to have outstanding livestock farmers like the Albertson’s all across the state that add so much to our state and communities,” Northey said.
The family was nominated for the award by their neighbor Charles Brown. In his nomination he highlighted the family’s involvement in the community and the commitment of Neil and his brother to conservation on the crop ground they farm together.
Brown also highlighted the family’s work to support students with swine projects, including Neil serving as swine superintendent at the Southern Iowa Fair. “Neil has helped many young 4-H members with their swine projects; selecting the right pigs, showing them how to get ready for the show, proper feeding, etc.”
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 emailed to Communications@iowaAgriculture.gov.