A total of 44 Iowa farm families were given Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards on Wednesday at the Iowa State Fair.
The award acknowledges farmers who take voluntary actions to serve as community leaders by improving and protecting the state’s natural resources, including soil and water. Recipients include Nick and Mary Sennert of Buena Vista County, Dennis and Ann Youngquist and Timothy and Amanda Youngquist of Sac County, Hunter Lindgren of Ida County, Russell and Beth Winterhof of Cherokee County, Brent and Cara Wells of Pocahontas County, Steve and Sue Ann Stoermer of Clay County, and Conner and Ashley Hildreth of Calhoun County.
These farm families use cover crops, no-till, wetlands, bioreactors, saturated buffers, grass waterways, and many other proven conservation practices that improve water quality, enhance soil health, and support the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
The winners were chosen by a committee representing conservation and agricultural groups. The winners were recognized Wednesday by Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, and Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon.
A total of 821 Iowa farm families have been recognized since the creation of the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award in 2012.
