Niehaus Spot Farm and Family to Be Honored at Iowa State Fair

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DES MOINES, IA (07/08/2015)(readMedia)-- The Niehaus Spot Farm and Family of Waverly will be recognized as one of six recipients of The Way We Live Award at the 2015 Iowa State Fair. The family will be honored in an award ceremony on Saturday, August 22 at 10:30 a.m. on the Christensen Farm Stage in the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center.

The Way We Live Award recognizes Iowa families for their hard work and love of farming. The families each exemplify a dedication to animal agriculture and have 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 nearly 40 entries from a variety of commodities and areas in Iowa.

The Niehaus Spot Farm and their Family have been raising hogs since 1931. Darwin and Sharon Niehaus built their current house on the farm in 1964 and moved in 1965 after Darwin's father had lived there since 1948. At that time, they raised corn, beans, hay, oats, and had 16 milking cows. With the help of his neighbor, Darwin started his county Pork Producers in 1967 and served as president. Today, he farms 40 acres of corn and has 40 sows.

Their large family consists of daughter Renee Lane, who raised three boys on the farm and now lives out of town. She is involved in showing pigs at the Fair and made sure to get her kids involved in 4-H. Son Jeff Niehaus was a 4-H member and now teaches at Sac City. Son Brian Niehaus is no longer involved in farming, but loves helping at shows and daughter Holly is a 4-H leader and lives on a nearby farm where they raise pigs, cattle, goats, chickens, ducks and donkeys. The family has nine grandchildren and great grandchildren who are involved with the hog business and showcases them at numerous fairs.

The Niehaus Spot Farm and Family will receive a prize package including $250 cash, Fair tickets, free parking, various coupon books, 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 Iowa State Fair, set for August 13-23.

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Frequently ranked as one of the top events in the country, the Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair located at East 30th and East University, just 10 minutes from downtown Des Moines is Iowa's greatest celebration with a salute to the best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement. "Nothing Compares" to the 2015 Iowa State Fair, August 13-23, 2015. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.

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

Caption: Niehaus Family, 2015 Iowa State Fair Way We Live Award Recipients.