The late Kenneth Hatch of rural Gladbrook (top right) pictured posthumously with his family during the 2025 planting season including (from left) daughter Kerrigan Hatch, wife Shelleen (née Lynch) Hatch, daughter Shelton (née Hatch) Hoefling holding granddaughter Hadley, and son-in-law Mitchell Hoefling. Hatch Farms is one of six recipients this year for the annual Way We Live Awards. IMAGE TAKEN BY LEXIE MCDONOUGH WITH VIEWS BY LEXIE OF SAC CITY, IOWA

DES MOINES – Six Iowa farm families will be recognized as recipients of the 2025 Way We Live Award at the Iowa State Fair including the family of the late Kenneth Hatch who farm west of Gladbrook.

Nominations for the annual award include descriptions of how living on the farm and choosing farming as an occupation have shaped the family’s life. All six families exemplify values derived from hard work and a love of farming.

To date, the Way We Live Award has recognized 95 outstanding Iowa farm families. Each award-winning family receives a prize package of $250, complimentary Fair admission tickets, free parking, various coupons, recognition on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage, a highlight video, a photo display in the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center during the Fair, and an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Downtown Mercy Campus.

On Thursday, Aug. 14 beginning at 11:45 a.m., Hatch Farms will be recognized on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage alongside fellow recipient Taylor Farms of Boulton.

The Hatch family’s award biography is printed in full below. Congratulations!

Hatch Farms, Gladbrook

GLADBROOK – 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, cats 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.