Poweshiek County farm family earns Farm Neighbor Award

BROOKLYN — A family from the Netherlands who now farm in Poweshiek County received the Wergin Good Farm Award from Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig last month.

“Even though the Boelens are still relatively new to Iowa and the United States, they have followed a similar pattern of generations of Iowa farm families who chased their dreams, found fertile soil, settled in Iowa and established themselves as involved members of their community,” said Naig in a press release.

“Not only do the Boelens excel on their farm by taking good care of their cattle and land, but their community contributions and education efforts exemplify what it means to be a good farm neighbor.”

Established in 2009 by Jan and Dorine Boelen, Bear Creek Dairy also includes son Joris and daughter-in-law Katherine Boelen, son Teun and daughter-in-law Jennifer Boelen.

Other family members involved are Dorine's father Rens Kouwenberg, daughter Dieuwertje Boelen and her fiancé Johnny Phillipo, son Geert Boelen and family, and son Hessel Boelen.

Jan and Dorine have four grandchildren: James, Joanna, Kate and Kassidy.

Before starting Bear Creek Dairy, Jan and Dorine owned a 160-head dairy in the Netherlands. In 2009, they moved their family to the United States to pursue a more sustainable life.

The family settled in Poweshiek County.

When they purchased the farm, it included 234 milk cows. Over time, with the goal of making it a generational success, they have made additions to expand the operation, according to the press release.

Today, the farm includes approximately 4,000 cattle, including 2,000 Jersey and Holstein crossbred cows that are milked three times per day.

In addition to the work of family members, the farm’s 20 employees help keep the operation running efficiently as they milk for 23 hours per day.

The farm grows corn for silage, soybeans, and utilizes rye as a cover crop, which is seeded at the end of corn chopping season and also provides feed for the cattle.

In order to produce high quality Grade A milk, which is sold to Prairie Farms, the Boelens ensure a high standard of care for their cattle, the press release said.

The family uses innovative technologies to track health, fertility, nutrition and production. The cows receive regular veterinary visits, professional hoof trimming and foot baths.

Sprinklers and an advanced ventilation system provide cow comfort.

In addition to utilizing cover crops, Bear Creek Dairy upcycles food waste to create a gluten byproduct in feed rations.

It has added LED light in barns and incorporated a plate cooler to conserve energy. Sand is recycled and reused for bedding in the barns.

The Boelens host farm tours, educational outreach programs, Clover Kids 4-H presentations and have an annual drive-thru event on the farm every spring to help connect consumers to agriculture.

The event has turned into a fundraiser for the community, with past donations supporting the local food bank and new playground equipment for the school.

The Boelens are active in local events such as the Brooklyn Flag Festival, community parades, Grinnell Lions Club Ag Day, Montezuma Freedom Fest and trunk-or-treat Halloween events at Diamond Lake and St. Johns Lutheran Church.

Various members of the family is active in both the Poweshiek County Farm Bureau and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

In 2023, after a fire destroyed one of the farm’s machine sheds and its contents, the Brooklyn community surrounded the Boelen Family with support.

This year’s proceeds from the drive-thru event will help support the same local fire departments that responded to their fire.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award is made possible through a partnership with the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers, The Big Show on WHO Radio, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, said the press release.

Now in its 20th year, this award recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in caring for the environment and their livestock while being good neighbors.

The award is named for Gary Wergin, a longtime WHO Radio farm broadcaster who helped create the award.