Tim and Beva Lupkes from Clarke County have been named the winners of the Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award. The Lupkes family raises both hogs and cattle on their farm and also grows corn, soybeans and hay on around 450 acres.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will present the award to the family on Monday, Aug. 21 at the Truro Community Center, 100 S. Railroad St. in Truro. on today's Big Show, listen here!
“Tim and Beva Lupkes are a great example of the livestock farmers all across our state who work hard to care for their animals, protect the environment and serve their neighbors and community. The Gary Wegin Good Farm Neighbor Award was designed to recognize these families that contribute so much to our state and communities,” Northey said.
The family was nominated for the award by their neighbor Dale Mastarone. In his nomination, he highlighted the family’s commitment to environmental protection, including using cover crops, no-till and building terraces on their land.
The Lupkes are very active in their community and were very involved with both 4-H and FFA while their children were at home. Tim and Beva both also have full-time, off-farm jobs.
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.