2025 Way We Live Award Winners

Kovar Family, Victor

Saturday, August 9 at 11:45 a.m. – Anne and Bill Riley Stage

Kovar Farms, a century farm in Victor, crop farms and raises cattle. Lee and Lois Kovar are fourth generation farmers who have passed the farming lifestyle on their own children. Lee finds the best genetics across the United States to have as herd sires and maternal cows to not only raise their herd of beef but also finish them out at their feedlot operation. The Kovars keep all of the calves that are born on the farm and raise them to market beef.

Lee’s great-grandfather started the operation in 1894. It has grown with technology, acres and variety and quantity of livestock. Lee and Lois farm with their two sons, Stan and Mark, who have children of their own helping on the farm. The family has passed on the farm traditions to the sixth generation, Lee and Lois’ grandchildren. They have been involved with 4-H and granddaughter Charlotte has been involved with Ag in the Classroom, speaking to students about their food comes from and presenting information about animal care and bi-products, as well as Feed a Farmer, opening the farm kitchen to a crew of volunteers to deliver a hot, home-cooked meal to a local farmer during Fall harvest.

Kutzli Family, Stanton

Wednesday, August 13 at 11:45 a.m. – Anne and Bill Riley Stage

In 2011, the first orchard trees were planted at Whitetail Valley Farm in Stanton, Iowa. Today, the Kutzli family specializes in vintage, antique and red-fleshed apple varieties, utilizing a Swiss tradition of fruit growing, called “Streuobstwiese” or Meadow Orchard. In the fall, the Kutzlis sell apples and use the apples to make wine at Whitetail Valley Cellars Winery. Grampaw’s Punkin Patch also opens every fall, allowing visitors to celebrate the harvest.

The Kutzli family operates Whitetail Valley Farm on 50 acres near Viking Lake State Park, situated between the park and a Montgomery County wildlife conservation area. Three generations of the family live on the farm. Nancy and Eric Kutzli purchased the land in 2010 and worked part-time on developing the farm while still employed full time. Their son Daniel, his wife Stacy and children live on the farm, and the Kutzli’s other son Matthew and wife Laurel live in Stanton, lending a hand when the farm gets busy.

The Kutzlis are stewards of the land, and everyone pitches in at harvest time or when there is a big job to do. Their mission is to live close to creation, share the blessing they have received and hand off the land in better condition than they received it. In their community, they give tours of the farm for preschoolers and other groups. “Grampaw” donates pumpkins to the local preschool in Stanton, and the family plans classes and demonstrations on grafting, apple pressing and other horticultural topics.

The Whitetail Valley Cellars Winery opens in July 2025. The inspiration for this traditional small farm, orchard and winery comes from Eric’s great-great grandfather, who lived on a Swiss farm in the Rhine valley. As the Swiss say, “Klein aber fein:” small, but excellent.

Miller Family, Cascade

Wednesday, August 13 at 11:45 a.m. – Anne and Bill Riley Stage

Ron and Donna Miller of Cascade have been farming Ron’s family farm for over 50 years, continuing the legacy his grandfather began when he purchased the farm in 1915. Over the years, they’ve raised dairy cows, hogs and beef cattle; expanded their land to 700 acres; and diversified the operation with custom baling, pheasant hunting preserve and conservation-focused row crops. Ron and Donna raised seven children on the farm, and their family has grown to include 28 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

The family continues to farm across several generations. Son Eric and family manage Miller Malting Company, growing gluten-free grains and brewing gluten-free beer under Crispy Boy Brewing. Daughter Marissa and family grow corn, soybeans, oats, alfalfa and heirloom wheat for their flour milling business. The family also practices conservation methods like no-till, 60-inch corn row spacing and cover crops to preserve the land.

Following Ron’s example, Eric and Marissa are committed to conservation and sustainability on the farm and are passionate about sharing those ideas with others. Ron and Donna believe that their success in farming is a result of faith and God’s blessings. Despite the challenges of farming, they find immense joy and are proud of the legacy they are passing on. Above all, they see themselves as stewards of the land, committed to preserving it for future generations. Their unwavering faith guides every decision and every harvest.

Hatch Farms, Gladbrook

Thursday, August 14 at 11:45 a.m. – Anne and Bill Riley Stage

Running Hatch Farms has taken on a very special and heartfelt meaning for members of the Hatch family of Gladbrook. Kenneth Hatch was the owner, the businessman, the decision maker, the laborer and mechanic who oversaw a successful farming operation. After his passing in March 2024, his wife, Shelleen, daughters Kerrigan and Shelton, and son-in-law Mitchell Hoefling have carried on his legacy: learning something new every day, making decisions as a team, but continuing the dream of their husband, dad and father-in-law.

The family has served as ambassadors for agriculture; daughter Shelton’s full time job with Iowa Corn Association allows many opportunities to serve, including presenting to elementary, high school and college students and lobbying for agricultural issues at the state and federal levels. She volunteers in the Agriculture Building during the Iowa State Fair, in addition to helping young 4-H’ers and their families learn about the show cattle industry with her husband Mitchell. Daughter Kerrigan volunteers for the Animal Rescue League in Des Moines, which includes dogs, cat and farm animals.

Ken’s family couldn’t stand the thought of giving up everything he had worked so hard for throughout his life, and they continue to take what Ken taught them and apply it to the farming operation. They believe you have to live/breathe farming to be successful and can’t imagine living any other life. Although Shelleen, Shelton and Mitchell only have one full year of farming under their belts, they continue to improve their technology, equipment and knowledge to take the farming operation to the next level. They choose to live this way to honor Ken, provide for their family and to give the next generation an opportunity to farm and to feed the world.

Taylor Farms, Bouton

Thursday, August 14 at 11:45 a.m. – Anne and Bill Riley Stage

In its fourth generation, the Taylor family farm operation in Bouton has evolved from horse-drawn equipment to modern technology, while maintaining deep-rooted traditions in livestock, crop diversity and community service.

Today, the farm, which includes family members Larry and Karen Taylor, Dan and Ila Jean Taylor, Todd Taylor, and Noah and Sarah Taylor, raises corn, soybeans, peas, small grains and a variety of forage crops in addition to the livestock operation. The livestock operation includes a cow-calf herd, a feedlot for finishing cattle and a hog finishing program for Niman Ranch, using deep bedding and antibiotic-free practices.

Conservation is a priority for the farm, with cover crops, managed woodlands and waterways all playing a role in soil health and livestock feed. Diversity and sustainability drive daily decisions.

The Taylors serve agriculture through 4-H leadership, cattlemen’s associations and educational outreach. Dan and Ila Jean have been 4-H board members; Noah leads youth livestock efforts and promotes beef education locally. As a family, they host ag visitors and share their conservation-minded, livestock-focused approach to sustainable farming.

Heinrich Family, Petersen Cattle, Grate View Farm, Maquoketa

Saturday, August 16 at 11:45 a.m. – Anne and Bill Riley Stage

As a multi-generational, diversified family farm operation, the Heinrich family, Peterson Cattle and Grate View Farm raise beef cow/calf pairs, milk 60 Holstein and Jersey dairy cattle, and grow corn, soybeans, alfalfa and oats in Maquoketa, Iowa. Joe and Shelley Heinrich have instilled a deep passion for agriculture with their family, including nephew Troy Petersen and wife Anessa of Petersen Cattle, and daughter Amber Selman and husband Ben of Grate View Farm.

Joe and Shelley oversee the overall operation, with daughter Amber and her husband responsible for the day-to-day management of the dairy. Joe and Shelley’s nephew, Troy Petersen, and his family operate a separate portion of the farm, focusing on row crows and beef cattle. The Heinrichs’ younger daughter, Jill, also farms with her family in their own enterprise, raising pork, beef and lamb on the family’s heritage farm, which traces back to Joe’s great-grandfather.

The family’s dairy operation was revitalized in 2019 when Amber and Ben joined the farm operation, bringing a herd of Jerseys from Ben’s family farm in Indiana. Since then, the couple has modernized several management practices, resulting in a near doubling of milk production.

The Heinrich family is happy to share their farming stories with others, whether it’s taking a calf to the local elementary school or volunteering at an FFA fundraiser. Recently, the family has launched a website and social media accounts to showcase how they care for the land, animals and the next generation of farmers. Joe has been a respected voice for Iowa dairy producers, and Shelley has provided leadership as chair of the Iowa Dairy Princess program. Amber is also an advocate through her participation in Midwest Dairy’s DEAL program.

The Heinrich family exemplifies the values of Iowa farm values – commitment to their land, livestock and community. They have an unwavering dedication to Iowa agriculture, being stewards of both tradition and progress in the agricultural occupation.