O'Connell Family to Be Honored at Iowa State Fair

Related Media

O_Connell_Family_Photo.JPG

DES MOINES, IA (07/08/2015)(readMedia)-- The O'Connell family of Earlville 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 Friday, August 14 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 life. Six families were chosen out of nearly 40 entries from a variety of commodities and areas in Iowa.

The O'Connell Family began farming in 1994 when Marilyn O'Connell and her husband Pat rented their current farm from her parents. Over the next 10 years they made renovations to every building on the farm before buying it in 2004. Today, along with their children Cory, Carrie, Emily, and Andy, they work together to operate the195 acres with 65 milking cows and 10 dry cows with a rolling herd average of 28,000 pounds. The O'Connell's also raise their own replacement heifers and stock cow herd that consists of 32 cows. One hundred acres of corn, 55 acres of alfalfa, and 35 acres of pasture are planted on the farm too.

Pat and Marilyn's eldest son Cory rents his grandma's farm in New Vienna, IA and buys bull claves from his parents to raise. Their eldest daughter Carries works for Wyffels Seed Corn Co. Both return home often to help around the farm. Their daughter Emily will be attending Kirkwood Community College in the fall, and Andy will be a sophomore at Maquoketa High School. All four of their children were or are very active in 4H and FFA.

The O'Connell 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.

# # #

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 O'Connell family is attached. Please credit the Iowa State Fair when using the photo.

Caption: O'Connell Family, 2015 Iowa State Fair Way We Live Award Recipients.