IARN — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, and Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon today recognized 40 Iowa farm families with Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards at the Iowa State Fair. The award acknowledges farmers who take voluntary actions to improve and protect our state’s natural resources while serving as leaders in their farming communities.
These farm families use scientifically proven practices like cover crops, wetlands, bioreactors, and saturated buffers that support the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The recipients recognize the benefits of conservation practices extend beyond their fields to residents downstream, and their leadership encourages others to adopt similar conservation practices.
“Iowa farmers have always led on conservation and land stewardship and continue to do so with more momentum than ever,” said Gov. Reynolds. “We are proud to recognize the recipients of the 2022 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards who have shown great leadership in sustainably feeding and fueling our world, protecting our water and land resources, and supporting the next generation of farm families.”
“Achieving the goals that are outlined in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy to improve soil health and water quality requires people, partnerships, and resources,” said Secretary Naig. “We are proud to recognize these Iowa farm families. They are leaders in their communities and are making long-term investments in conservation that will benefit generations to come.”
“We take great pride in recognizing these leaders in our farming communities throughout our state that put sound conservation practices on the forefront of their operations,” said Director Lyon. “It’s now more important than ever that we focus on protecting and enhancing our natural resources—especially our lands and waters.”
More than 690 Iowa farm families have been recognized since the creation of the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award in 2012. A list of previous recipients is available here.
The winners were chosen by a committee representing both conservation and agricultural groups.
High-resolution photos can be downloaded here.
The 2022 award recipients, listed alphabetically by last name, include:
Bill and Cheryl Adams, Madison County
A & W Farms – Caleb Akin and Noah Wendt, Story County
Appelgate G. & L. Inc. – Merle Appelgate, Marshall County
Tom and Juanita Beeler, Madison County
Frank and Louise Blaine, Wapello County
Mark Brown, Joel Brown, Matt Brown, Plymouth County
Rowly and Deb Burton, Shelby County
Dahlstrom Farms, LLC – Aaron and Arnold Dahlstrom, Buena Vista County
Mike and Kara Dickinson, Harrison County
Jerry and Mary Dove, Bremer County
Kruger Farms & The Kruger Family, Grundy County
Jason and Kelli Fineran, Sac County
Flinn Farms – Vernon and Kelly Flinn, Polk County
Foxdale Farms – Robert Fox, Lee County
The Damon Gragert Family, Howard County
Roger & Carol Ann Harrington, Keokuk County
James M and Kaye Hochstetler Family Farm, Madison County
Dennis & Georgia Hofmeister and Family, Franklin County
Holmes Family Farm – Michael G Holmes, Michael J Holmes, Jasper County
Doug and Eileen Honeck Family, Marshall County
Paul and Julie Kassel, Clay County
Dennis and Jeanette Kenealy, Harrison County
Keith and Val Krause, Delaware CountyJerry Laughlin, Fremont County
Jordans Grove Farms – Jim and Brian Lensch, Linn County
Stephen Lovig and Janice Lovig, Tama County
Luellen Farms – Clint and Tim Luellen, Dallas County
Doug and Deb Maher, Montgomery County
Verle (Tom) Manson, Bremer County
McLaughlin Farms – Scott McLaughlin, Shelby County
Meier Family Farms, Page County
Meythaler Farms Inc. – Joe and Mitch Meythaler, Linn County
Maple Gold Farms – Randy & Diane Pancratz, Dubuque County
James and Julie Petersen, Marion County
Maple Acres Inc. – Tim and Kathy Peterson, Buena Vista County
Timothy Renger, Kossuth County
Mark and Deb Rensink Family, Sioux County
Ron & Glee Sass, Clayton County
Michael Vonnahme, Carroll County
Jim and Mike Webster, Chickasaw County
Story courtesy of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.
Photo by Russ Parker
