Carlson family farm in Page County receives Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award
The Carlson family of Page County was recognized with the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.
Sponsored through a partnership between the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers, "The Big Show" on WHO Radio and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the award honors Iowa livestock farmers committed to caring for their livestock and the environment, in addition to being dedicated community members by being good leaders and neighbors.
Carlson Farms is a diversified crop and livestock operation, where the family raises Angus and Simmental cattle and produces corn, soybeans, alfalfa, oats and forage sorghum. It’s run by father-and-son duo Todd and Colby Carlson.
Todd’s wife, Nikki; daughter, Maggie; and parents, Steve and Phyllis, are all actively involved in the family farm, and part-time employees work with them during harvest.
The Carlsons know healthy cattle and healthy land go hand-in-hand, and they stated that Todd is always looking for new ways to make the farm both more productive and more sustainable.
The Carlson family of Page County is recognized with the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.
They’ve incorporated rye and forage sorghum cover crops, grazing cattle on the cover crops after harvest. This benefits the soil health, extends the grazing season and produces more forage. They are also using “rotational grazing, backgrounds calves on pasture during the fall and continues to expand the use of no-till practices across their operation,” according to a news release.
The family strives to produce high-quality cattle and accelerate genetic improvement for their Angus and Simmental herd. They work with a local seedstock producer to use embryo transfer and sexed semen technology. Todd is Beef Quality Assurance certified.
The Carlsons have been involved in their community for several years.
Colby, who graduated Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in agricultural business in 2025, is a member of the Page County Cattleman’s Board. Before he took this on, Todd served on the board for more than 15 years. Todd also served on the Page County Fair Board, was president of the Bethesda Evangelical Lutheran Church board and was the Page County Cattleman of the Year in 2018.
Additionally, the family is active in the Iowa Cattleman’s Association and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.
“The best farm neighbors understand that success isn't measured only by what happens inside the farm gate. It's also measured by how you support your community and help prepare the next generation to lead,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, who presented the award to the family at an event at Carlson Farms on Aug. 7, according to a news release. "The Carlson family exemplifies those values through their commitment to conservation, responsible livestock care and community leadership."
