The Ditch family of Center Point, Iowa, was recognized with the prestigious Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award during the 2025 Iowa Pork Congress in Des Moines. The award was presented by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, honoring the family’s exceptional commitment to environmental stewardship, livestock care, and community involvement.
Generations of Excellence
The Ditch family, which includes Matt and Melissa Ditch and their children—AJ (14), Victoria (13), and Joshua (11)—operates a livestock and crop farm in rural Linn County. The farm, established in 1958, also includes Matt’s parents, Ken and Becky Ditch. Over the decades, the family has overcome challenges, including rebuilding after a tornado in the 1970s, to maintain a thriving and sustainable farm enterprise.
A Commitment to Sustainability and Livestock Care
The Ditch family’s farm includes pigs, cattle, and crop production. After transitioning from farrow-to-finish pork production in 1996, they now raise weaned pigs and focus on animal welfare practices certified by Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) and Transportation Quality Assurance (TQA). The farm employs technology like mist systems to manage odors and optimize livestock health.
Their crop production includes corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and hay. Sustainable practices such as no-till farming, crop rotation, and cereal rye cover crops have been instrumental in preserving soil health and improving water quality. Additional conservation efforts include grassed waterways to reduce runoff and erosion, nitrogen inhibitors, and precision nutrient application using GPS-guided equipment.
Leadership and Community Engagement
Beyond their farming practices, the Ditch family exemplifies community leadership and service. “The Ditch Family combines excellent care for their livestock with a deep appreciation for their land,” said Secretary Naig. “They embody a true spirit of service by contributing to their community and serving in leadership roles. They are a terrific example of the wonderful pork producer families we have across Iowa.”
About the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award
Now in its 21st year, the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award recognizes Iowa farmers who demonstrate exemplary care for their land, livestock, and community. The award is named after Gary Wergin, a beloved farm broadcaster at WHO Radio, and is sponsored by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers, WHO Radio’s The Big Show, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
Swine Web congratulates the Ditch family on this well-deserved recognition and thanks them for their dedication to Iowa’s pork industry and their community.
