 |
| The Grier family on their Guernsey, Iowa, farm. (Photo courtesy of Iowa State Fair) |
The Way We Live Award recognizes Iowa
families for their hard work and love of farming. The families each exemplify
dedication to animal agriculture and strong farm values. Each entrant was asked
to submit a short essay describing how the occupation of farming and living on
a farm has shaped their lives. Six families were chosen out of 38 entries from
a variety of commodities and areas in Iowa.
Ron and Christine Grier and their son,
Ryan, began their farming journey in 2005 when they decided to buy a farm and
go back to their roots. Ryan had five goats for a 4-H project and those goats
soon developed into a 77-head Boer goat operation. The Griers also have three
colonies of bees and grow corn, soybeans and hay on their 154 acres.
Both Ron and Christine have full-time
jobs away from the farm. As a result, they keep the operation going with hard
work and help from family members. Ryan, a computer science major at Iowa State
University, often comes home to help out when needed. Ron is a former member of
FFA and is currently the vice president of the Tall Corn Meat Goat Wether
Association. Christine was in 4-H and has been a Sunday school teacher, a CASA
volunteer and a Master Gardener. Both Ron and Christine are youth leaders as well
as members of the American Boer Goat Association, the Iowa Meat Goat
Association, the Iowa Honey Producers Association and the Farm Bureau.
The Grier family will receive a prize
package including $250 cash, fair tickets, free parking and recognition in the
Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center during the fair. The Way We Live Award is
sponsored by WHO NewsRadio 1040 and Tractor Supply Co. For more information on the fair, visit
iowastatefair.org.
The Grier family works very hard to take the best care of their animals and their friends and family. No one deserves the recognition more. Congratulations guys!
ReplyDeleteM. Kalsem