A Washington County couple has been named one of four recipients of the Iowa Master Farmers award from Wallaces Farmer magazine.

Steve and Julie Berger are part of the 82nd class of Iowa Master Farmers. The Bergers own a corn, soybean, and swine operation west of Wellman, that was started by Steve’s parents, Dennis and Janice, in the 1960’s. Steve says he is humbled to receive the award, which his parents also received in 1996, “You know interestingly enough Washington County probably has the most recipients of the master farmer award. You know, I was just running through and counting them this morning, and we have 11 of them and they date all the way back to 1927. So there’s quite a list of farmers that have received this from Washington County and five of them are from Wellman.”

Iowa Master Farmers is the longest-running farmer recognition program in the country. The expectations of recipients are those who not only skillfully manage their farms and market their products, but also invest time and resources in pursuit of a successful family and community life.

Washington County Master Farmers:

1927 Carl Anderson, Wellman
1928 Burrell C. Foster, Wellman
1929 Everett L. Stewart, Washington
1948 Richard Stephens, Ainsworth
1951 Herb Campbell, Ainsworth
1955 Wayne Norman, Wellman
1989 Oscar & Wynne Steele, Riverside
1992 Keith Hora, Riverside
1996 Dennis & Janice Berger, Wellman
2009 Rob & Jean Stout, West Chester
2018 Steve & Julie Berger, Wellman