Iowa Ag Connection - Burmahls Named Wergin Good Farm Neighbors

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Burmahls Named Wergin Good Farm Neighbors
Iowa Ag Connection - 02/09/2016

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey announced that the Dave and Angie Burmahl family from Jackson County have been named the winners of the "Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award."

Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the award to the family on Feb. 12. The ceremony will be at the Burmahl farm located at 15276 50th Ave., Baldwin. 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.

"I am excited to help recognize the Burmahl family for all they do on their farm and for their service to their community," Northey said. "The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award was created to highlight the important role livestock farming plays in our state and in our communities and the families that do such a great job caring for their animals, protecting the land and serving their neighbors and community."

Dave and Angie have three grown children and a diversified farm where they raise corn, soybeans, hay, hogs and cattle.

The family was nominated by their neighbor Craig Schnoor, DVM, who sited their care for their animals, efforts to protect their land and service to their community in his nomination.

"Dave is simply a great guy. He's a progressive and very environmentally conscious farmer that utilizes contour farming, cover crops, rotational grazing, crop rotation, GPS, terracing, strip application of crop nutrients, etc., which is very important in the hilly area of Western Jackson County where we farm," Schnoor said

The family is also active in the community and serves as 4H leaders and on several local boards. Schnoor also highlighted their efforts to educate the next generation about agriculture.

"Angie, a second grade teacher, along with Dave host a fall ag experience day for all the second grade students where they get to experience life on the farm, from playing in corn, seeing pigs and cattle, to riding in a combine (all 90+ of them). I don't know of any other farmer who would take an entire day or more off in the middle of harvest to do something like this," Schnoor added.

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.

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