Grier Family to Be Honored at Iowa State Fair

Related Media

Grier Family, 2014 Iowa State Fair Way We Live Award Recipients.

DES MOINES, IA (07/07/2014)(readMedia)-- The Grier family of Guernsey will be recognized as one of six recipients of The Way We Live Award at the 2014 Iowa State Fair. The family will be honored in an award ceremony on Saturday, August 16, at 10:30 a.m. on the Christensen Farms Stage in the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center. "Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair, set for August 7-17.

The Way We Live Award recognizes Iowa families for their hard work and love of farming. The families each exemplify dedication to animal agriculture and strong farm values. Each entrant was asked to submit a short essay describing how the occupation of farming and living on a farm has shaped their lives. Six families were chosen out of 38 entries from a variety of commodities and areas in Iowa.

Ron and Christine Grier and their son, Ryan, began their farming journey in 2005 when they decided to buy a farm and go back to their roots. Ryan had five goats for a 4-H project and those goats soon developed into a 77 Boer goat operation. The Griers also have three colonies of bees and grow corn, soybeans and hay on their 154 acres of land.

Both Ron and Christine have full-time jobs away from the farm. As a result, they keep the operation going with hard work and help from family members. Ryan, a computer science major at Iowa State University, often comes home to help out when needed. Ron is a former member of FFA and is currently the vice president of the Tall Corn Meat Goat Wether Association. Christine was in 4-H and has been a Sunday school teacher, a CASA volunteer and a Master Gardener. Both Ron and Christine are youth leaders as well as members of the American Boer Goat Association, the Iowa Meat Goat Association, the Iowa Honey Producers Association and the Farm Bureau.

The Grier family will receive a prize package including $250 cash, Fair tickets, free parking and recognition in the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center during the Fair. The Way We Live Award is sponsored by WHO NewsRadio 1040 and Tractor Supply Company.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2014 Iowa State Fair, August 7-17. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

Note to editors: A photo of the Grier family is attached. Please credit the Iowa State Fair when using the photo.

* * *