Hommel Family to be Honored at Iowa State Fair

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DES MOINES, IA (07/11/2011)(readMedia)-- The Hommel family of Eldora will be recognized as one of six recipients of The Way We Live Award at the 2011 Iowa State Fair. The family will be honored in an award ceremony on Friday, August 12, 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 August 11-21.

The Way We Live Award recognizes industrious Iowa families who demonstrate a daily dedication to animal agriculture and exemplify farm values derived from hard work and a love for the occupation of farming. Entrants were asked to submit a short essay describing how living on a farm and choosing the occupation of farming has shaped their family's life. Six recipients were chosen from a pool of entries representing a variety of commodities and locations throughout Iowa.

Dave and Laura Hommel take pride in family, tradition and happiness¬ - three aspects of life that exist on H & H Farms' hog and crop operation. Dave and Laura grew up on family farms in Iowa and wanted to carry on the family tradition and agricultural lifestyle. After they both graduated from Iowa State University in 1998, Dave joined his father, Tim, in Grundy County and together they began the H & H Farms partnership. Together they own an independent hog operation, machinery and buildings, plus raise corn and soybeans; the farmland is owned separately. The farm has added value to their crop by feeding the hogs corn from their own fields and fertilizing the crops with manure.

Laura does her part on the farm by updating the financial information, helping in the fields during harvest and raising their three children, Ella (8), Andrew (6), and Daniel (3). Both Dave and Laura are actively involved in the farming community holding positions on the Grundy Country Farm Bureau Board, participating in the Iowa Farm Bureau and speaking on behalf of the farming industry and agricultural issues.

In addition to being honored in an award ceremony during the Fair, the Hommel family will receive a prize package including admission to the Fair and $250 cash. The Way We Live Award is sponsored by NewsRadio 1040 WHO and Tractor Supply Company.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2011 Iowa State Fair, celebrating 100 years of the Butter Cow August 11-21. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.