Dyersville Farm Family Honored with Iowa’s 2024 Way We Live Award
The Recker family, a proud third-generation farming family from Dyersville, Iowa, has been recognized with the 2024 Way We Live Award at the Iowa State Fair. This award celebrates families who exemplify the values of hard work and a deep love for farming, qualities that the Reckers fully embody.
Charlie and Ann Recker started the family farm in the 1960s, purchasing what was then a dairy and hog operation. Over the years, the farm has grown and evolved, with their son Craig and his wife Susan taking over in 1988. They focused on raising beef cattle after selling their dairy cows in 2008.
Today, Craig and Susan's son Joe and his wife Cara represent the third generation running the farm, having moved to the family homestead in early 2020.
The Recker farm is a bustling place with a diverse range of livestock, including cattle, lambs, sheep, and chickens. The farm also produces corn and hay, utilizing modern technology like GPS tracking and programmed feeding systems to ensure the highest quality products.
Their cattle, primarily Black Angus with some crossbreeds, are fed a balanced diet and are sold when they reach around 1,500 pounds. Additionally, the farm raises Katahdin Sheep, which are grass-fed during the summer and given homegrown hay in the winter, with lambs ready for sale at about 100 pounds. Joe and Cara are committed to involving their children in the daily operations of the farm, teaching them the importance of responsibility and hard work from a young age. This hands-on approach not only preserves the family tradition but also instills a sense of pride and connection to the land.
The Way We Live Award, now in its 16th year, and recognizes outstanding Iowa farm families. The Reckers join the ranks of 89 other families who have been honored over the years at the Iowa State Fair.
The award ceremony will be held on Thursday, August 15, at 11:45 AM on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage at the Iowa State Fair. As part of their recognition, the Recker family will receive a prize package including $250, complimentary admission tickets, free parking, various coupons, a highlight video, a photo display in the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center during the Fair, and an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Downtown Mercy Campus.
Other winners of the Iowa award this year include:
- Brewer Farms, Dallas Center
- Secor Family, Fort Dodge
- Whitman Family, Grand Mound
- Smith Family, Pine Grove Farms
- The Duitscher Family / Dutchland Dairy, Rolfe
- Kerns Family, Manchester
The Recker family's story and their dedication to raising high-quality beef and lamb reflect the enduring spirit of Iowa farming and the values that make it special. Their family's journey from the 1960s to today stands as a testament to the hard work and commitment that define their way of life; the Iowa-way of life.
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