Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Johnny Westra, of rural Primghar, was honored as the 2024 recipient of the Value Added Ag Hall of Fame Award.
Fred De Jong & Sons, Inc., of Primghar, was recognized as the business recipient of the award.
As the O'Brien County Fair celebrated its 100th anniversary, the O'Brien County Value Added Ag Steering Committee presented the 2024 Ag Hall of Fame awards on Monday evening, July 22.
Johnny Westra, of rural Primghar, was honored as the 2024 recipient of the Value Added Ag Hall of Fame Award, and Fred De Jong & Sons, Inc., of Primghar, was recognized as the business recipient of the award.
According to committee, successful candidates must have demonstrated leadership, stewardship, community service and service to the agricultural industry. They must also be an O'Brien County resident or someone who engages in agricultural activity in the county.
Westra, his wife and five children moved from California to Iowa in 2012 with 400 dairy cows. In the ensuing years he has grown his operation, increased his dairy herd and added employees and acres. Westra received two separate nominations for the VAA Hall of Fame Award, both of which praised him for his integrity. He shows stewardship in how he takes care of his livestock, the land and the people around him, and is a leader in his industry and his community. He serves both by always being ready to sponsor an event, support a worthy organization or lend a hand where needed.
Fred De Jong & Sons, Inc. has been in the excavating business over 65 years. De Jong established the business in Hull. His sons Gary, Larry and Darrel worked with him to learn the business. In 1980, Gary and and his wife Lou moved their family to Primghar, effectively branching out Fred De Jong & Sons. Gary and Larry began the process of purchasing Fred De Jong & Sons from their father in 1988.
The De Jong brothers are true stewards of the land. The company worked with the ASCS Office in O'Brien County as well as surrounding areas to help farmers construct terraces and waterways. Planting trees and sowing grasses in waterways are stressed as important ways to prevent erosion and preserve topsoil. Gary and Larry have been leaders in the community by donating their time and services for projects such as preparing the site for the Primghar Fire Station and maintaining the Primghar Jaycees' Figure 8 track.
