Waverly Farm Family To Be Recognized at the Iowa State Fair

Six Iowa farm families will be honored as recipients of 2015 Way We Live Award at the Iowa State Fair. A Waverly family will be one of those six receiving this great honor.

Each family will be recognized for their love of the land and the product they produce.The Way We Live Award recognizes Iowa families for their hard work and dedication to 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 nearly 40 entries from a variety of commodities and areas in Iowa.

Each award winning 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 at 10:30 a.m. on various days. The Way We Live Award is sponsored by WHO NewsRadio 1040 and Tractor Supply Company.

On Monday, August 17, The Lalk family will be honored.

In 2010, Tim and Rebecca Lalk began custom raising calves on their 288 head nursery for local farmers near Sumner. In 2012, they built a building where they could house up to 400 head of calves, once they came out of the nursery. They continue to custom raise calves for a local dairy farmer, as well as raise their own calves with their four children at their family farm in Waverly.

Tim is a fourth generation farmer and manages both farms and the cattle operation. Rebecca works as a full-time county social worker. Both are actively involved in their church.

Their eldest daughter Skyler participates in high school marching band and volleyball, and volunteers with the church’s Sunday school program. Nathan is the oldest son and plays football and participates in orchestra. Leah is an avid dancer, and their youngest son Asher is 2-years-old. Skyler, Nathan and Leah all help bottle feed the calves.

Congratulations to the Lalk Family. Enjoy your day.