Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey presenting Steve and Becky Kerns from Taylor County with the latest Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award live on Wednesday's Big Show at the Iowa Pork Congress. Listen here:
“Steve and Becky Kerns are true leaders in the agriculture industry while also doing things right on their farm in how they care for their animals, protect the environment and serve their neighbors. It is great to be able to recognize a deserving family like this in front of their peers during Iowa Pork Congress,” Northey said.
The Kerns operate a diversified crop and livestock operation. They care for 500 sows in a farrow to finish operation. They also produce breeding stock and market hogs for high-end restaurants and specialty grocery stores. The family also has a 30-head cattle herd for grazing highly erodible acres.
The family was nominated for the award by their neighbors Ryan and Alle Baily (pictured during her interview with Bob). In their nomination, they highlighted the family’s care for the environment and also their active involvement in the community. The Kerns’ use no-till for all crop land and use all highly erodible land for pasture. They have also planted 15 acres of trees to further protect highly erodible acres.
They are also active in the community. Becky serves on the USDA FSA’s Taylor County Committee and previously served on the Clearfield Community School Board for 18 years. Steve is a past-president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association and still serves on two of the Association Committees.