Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey presented the Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award to Rob and Jean Stout at the West Chester Heritage Building. Photo by Sam McIntosh.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey presented an award to a Washington County couple Wednesday.

Rob and Jean Stout received the Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award, which recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who care for the environment, their livestock, and are good neighbors. The Stout family has a swine finishing operation and also grows corn and soybeans. The Stouts were nominated for the award by ISU Extension Ag Engineering Specialist Greg Brenneman. Brenneman says, “I’ve known Rob and Jean for quite a few years, and I’ve observed Rob’s farming operation, and he’s just always done a great job of not only raising hogs but doing it the right way. And doing a lot of good soil conservation practices, really good manure management practices, and has been a good supporter of the community, as well. And all of those things to me is part of what makes a really good farm neighbor.”

Rob and Jean Stout were presented the award at the West Chester Heritage Building Wednesday. Rob comments, “I was very pleased and satisfied that Greg nominated me and happy to be able to do that. It’s quite an honor.”

Besides the family’s work to protect the environment with use of no-till planting and cover crops and having Pork Quality Assurance Plus and Transport Quality Assurance certifications, they have been active in the community. Rob has served on the SE Iowa Ag Research Association board and cooperated in research with Iowa State University and the Iowa Learning Farms. Rob and Jean are also active in the West Fork Crooked Creek Water Quality and Soil Health Initiative.