Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig presented the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to the Matt and Melissa Ditch Family of Center Point. The presentation took place on Wednesday, Jan. 22, during the annual Iowa Pork Congress held at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.
Matt and Melissa Ditch and their children, AJ, age 14, Victoria, age 13, and Joshua, age 11, farm near Center Point along with Matt’s parents, Ken and Becky Ditch. The Ditch Family has been farming in rural Linn County since 1958, though the farm has changed significantly over the years. A tornado ripped through the area in the 1970s, destroying much of the farm, including their home. Over many decades, they have re-built and re-imagined the farming enterprise, which today includes cattle, pigs and crop production, all built on a firm commitment to animal husbandry and environmental stewardship.
“The Ditch Family combines excellent care for their livestock with a deep appreciation for their land. They are always looking for ways to enhance soil health and protect water quality while responsibly raising pigs and cattle,” said Secretary Naig. “Beyond their farm, they embody a true spirit of service by actively contributing to their community and by serving in numerous leadership capacities. The Ditch family is a terrific example of the wonderful pork producer families we have across Iowa, and it is fitting that we present them with the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award at the annual Iowa Pork Congress.”…