The Behounek family, owners of Bawnmore Farms in Poweshiek County, will be honored with the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award on Tuesday, September 5. The award recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in caring for the environment and their livestock and have demonstrated a commitment to their community.
The Behouneks have been farming in Poweshiek County for generations. Joe Behounek's father, Leo, started farming in 1939. Joe and his wife, Francine, took over the farm in 1976. The farm currently consists of a purebred Suffolk sheep herd, a purebred Large White swine herd, and crop production.
The Behouneks are committed to environmental stewardship. They use sustainable farming practices, such as crop rotation and no-till farming. They also maintain grassed waterways and plant trees around creek beds to help prevent soil erosion.
The Behouneks are also active members of their community. Joe served eight years on the South Tama County Community School District Board of Directors. The family is also involved in Farm Bureau and the Tama County Pork Producers.
The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award is named in memory of Gary Wergin, a long-time WHO Radio farm broadcaster who helped create the award. The award is presented by the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers (CSIF) and The Big Show on WHO Radio.
The Behouneks are a deserving recipient of the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award. They are a model of what it means to be a good farm neighbor, and they are a valuable asset to their community.
Photo Credit: Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award
Categories: Iowa, Business