Wild Brothers Farms of rural Lansing among seven Iowa farm families to receive 2021 “Way We Live” Award at the Iowa State Fair
Wild family to be honored at State Fair with “Way We Live” Award ... Members of the late Harris and Evelyn Wild family gathered for this photo above during a recent tractor pull event in honor of family member Steve Wild, who passed away in March 2019. The families of Harris and Evelyn’s sons, Richard, Randy and Robert Wild, make up Wild Brothers Farms of rural Lansing, which will be honored at the 2021 Iowa State Fair in Des Moines Monday, August 16 with the “Way We Live” Award that recognizes Iowa families for their hard work and love of farming. Submitted photo.
Wild Brothers Farms of Lansing will be recognized as one of seven recipients of the Way We Live Award at the 2021 Iowa State Fair. The family will be honored in an award ceremony Monday, August 16 at 11:45 a.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage on the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
The Way We Live Award recognizes Iowa families for their hard work and love of farming. Each family exemplifies a dedication to animal agriculture and strong farm values. Entry form nominations included a description of how living on a farm and choosing the farming occupation shaped the nominee’s farm family life. Seven families were chosen out of 69 entries from a variety of commodities and areas in Iowa.
The Wild family has been farming in Allamakee County for over 110 years and four generations. The farm was purchased in 1910 by Edward and Maude, and son Harris and wife Evelyn later took it over. The farm is currently operated by Harris and Evelyn’s sons, Richard, Randy and Robert, and their families.
The farm currently has an Angus cow-calf operation and feed lot. They also have a 40-cow Holstein dairy herd. The farm crops include corn and alfalfa. Each member of the family has their own job to make the operation efficient. Rick, Randy, Todd, Doug and Nick work to maintain the Angus herd, and Bob and Bobbi Jo are in charge of the dairy operation. Grandsons Carson, Blake and Mason help with field work and daily chores.
Family life has revolved around the farm for generations; including family ATV/UTV rides, deer hunting camp and family picnics on the Upper Iowa River that runs through the farm.
The Way We Live Award is sponsored by Pioneer, with media sponsors Iowa Farmer Today and the WHO Big Show. The award, in its 13th year of recognizing outstanding farm families, has recognized 76 Iowa farm families so far.
Each award winning family will be recognized on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage and will receive a prize package of $250, complimentary admission tickets, free parking, various coupons and a display in the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center during the Fair, along with an overnight hotel stay at the Holiday Inn Downtown Mercy Campus.
For more information on past award winners or the current 2021 Way We Live Award winning families, visit https://www.iowastatefair.org/participate/the-way-we-live-award.
