Naig visits Lubben farm

   Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig paid a visit to Dave Lubben of Lubben Oak Farms in Monticello Sept. 15.

   “I’m here to brag about you,” Naig quipped, referring to the recent Conservation Farmer of the Year awards Lubben recently received from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and the Jones Soil and Water Conservation District.

   Naig and Lubben talked about the farm, about drought conditions in various parts of the state, and other topics, before they joined several others in a tour of the farm to look at Lubben’s conservation practices.

   Both Naig and Lubben said that when it comes to drought, this part of the state has been fortunate.

   “We’re not going to complain, I’ll guarantee you that,” Lubben said.

   Naig added: “When I talk to somebody from over in this part of the state, I say, ‘How is it?’ and they (abruptly) say ‘Fine. I don’t want to talk about it, I don’t want to jinx it, and I don’t want anybody to think I’m bragging.’ ”

   Naig also took time to acknowledge the importance of conservation practices such as those Lubben has employed.

   “This whole connection between livestock and conservation, it’s all circular,” Naig said. “We want to make sure we’re telling that story about that great connection.”