A Buena Vista County family has been recognized for their commitment to ethically raising hogs with an emphasis on improving water and soil quality. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, presented the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to the Mike and Michelle Ehlers family during the Iowa Pork Congress in Des Moines yesterday (Wednesday). The Ehlers raise corn, soybeans and pigs on their farm outside of Marathon and utilize multiple voluntary conservation practices, including: low-disturbance manure applications, strip-till, no-till and buffer strips. They began seeding cover crops in 2015 and have implemented pollinator habitats and bioreactors on their land. The Ehlers put an emphasis on animal care by using high-quality feed, checking air quality in their facilities and ensuring the hogs have enough space. Naig says, “The Ehlers family are leaders in conservation and are great resources for neighbors and fellow farmers who are interested in improving soil health and water quality on their farms. Their high standard of animal care and community involvement make them deserving recipients of this award.” Mike and Michelle Ehlers are also the presidents of the Buena Vista Pork Producers Association, volunteer with their local 4-H group and are active in many community organizations and events. The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award is named in memory of longtime Iowa farm broadcaster, Gary Wergin.