DES MOINES –Joel and Karen Schuiteman of Sioux Center have won the April “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.” Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Karey Claghorn will present the award Monday, April 20, at the First Reformed Church Youth Center.

The Schuitemans custom feed hundreds of cattle and farm row crops. They have three daughters and are involved in 4-H, noted Shelly Greving, marketing coordinator for the Iowa 4-H Foundation. 

Karen is a leader of the Western Go Getters 4-H Club, said Cindy Cleveringa, the 4-H county youth coordinator. “It is one of the largest and most active clubs in Sioux County.”

She has been a leader for 12 years, and the Schuitemans’ daughter Lindsay has been a leader for three years. Their youngest daughter, Nicole, is on the Sioux County Leader’s Council. All three daughters have shown livestock, mostly beef projects. They also contribute financially every year to the local county foundation, Cleveringa said.

“The Schuitemans show a commitment to agriculture, the livestock industry and their community,” added Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.  “Like other farmers throughout the state they exemplify the care for the land and concern for their neighbors that this award was designed to recognize. It’s second nature for them to give back to their neighbors and community.”

The Schuitemans were nominated by their neighbors, Steve and Peg Mouw, for their hard work and dedication to agriculture and the community. When another neighbor was deployed to Afghanistan with the National Guard, Joel took care of their crops. 

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 care for their farms, neighbors and the environment. It is named in memory of Gary Wergin, a long-time WHO Radio farm broadcaster who helped create the award. 

WHO Radio’s Big Show will broadcast live from the First Reformed Church in Sioux Center from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, April 20.

To nominate your neighbor for the award, write a letter or e-mail explaining why your 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 e-mailed to tess.capps@iowaAgriculture.gov.

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