Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to the Dodds Family of Des Moines County on Thursday, September 5. The presentation will take place at an event beginning at 11 a.m. at their family farm located near New London.
Established in 1837 and recognized as a Heritage Farm (owned by the same family for 150 years) at the 2021 Iowa State Fair, Dodds Farms is operated by Brad and Tiffany Dodds. They are the parents of Ellsie and Layne. The farm has one full-time employee, Kyle Boeding, as well as five part-time employees: Evan Beckman, Erik Beckman, Lance Thomas, Ron Pilling, and Sean Wyett. Brad’s mother Joan Dodds is still actively involved in the operations of the farm. Brad’s father Herb Dodds, while retired, and his aunt, Nancy Hamann, are also both important to the ongoing success of the farm.
“To be recognized as a Heritage Farm is an amazing milestone. To keep a farm in the family for over 150 years is not easy and that’s a testament to the Dodds’ commitment to progress and innovation as well as their grit, determination and resilience. Generation after generation, the Dodds have taken good care of their land and livestock while also being deeply ingrained into their community,” said Secretary Naig. “I am pleased to present the Dodds Family with the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”
Livestock production has always been important to the Dodds. Today, the farm includes pork production, but previously the family operated a dairy. They maintain fully automated climate-controlled barns to ensure that their pigs are comfortable and productive. They maintain certification in the Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) program.