An Atlantic family is one of six from across Iowa to be honored with “The Way We Live Award,” at the Iowa State Fair. Mick and LaVon Sager were selected from 75 total entries. According to fair officials, the award “Honors “industrious Iowa families who demonstrate a daily dedication to animal agriculture and exemplify farm values derived from hard work and a love for the occupation of farming.” The Omaha World-Herald reports the Sager family raises about 200 hens, 60 calves, 32 ewes, 14 turkeys and two llamas on their 20-acre spread about four miles northwest of Atlantic.

A fair spokesperson cited the farm as the epitome of a small, diversified, family farm. In selecting the Sagers for the award, the fair is recognizing Mick and LaVon for passing on the lessons of farm life to their kids. The Sagers will receive their award at 10:30 a.m. today (Saturday), at the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center on the fairgrounds in Des Moines. Mick Sager is a roads foreman for Cass County, while LaVon is a para educator for Atlantic Community Schools. Neither are full-time farmers. The couple has four children.