(DES MOINES) – Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today encouraged Iowans to nominate farmers for the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award who have taken voluntary actions to improve or protect the environment and natural resources of our state. Nominations are due by June 15, 2016 and the nomination form, a list pf previous awardees and other information can be found at www.iowaagriculture.gov/
The award is a joint effort between the Governor, Lt. Governor, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources to recognize the efforts of Iowa’s farmers as environmental leaders committed to healthy soils and improved water quality.
“Farmers around our state have always been and are always going to be great conservators of their land,” said Branstad. “The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award is our chance to recognize farmers who are going the extra mile in conservation and land stewardship.”
“The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award allows the state to recognize and appreciate the farmers who feed the world and demonstrate the priority they place in protecting the land,” said Reynolds. “Iowa farmers are leading the way in implementing science-based practices that are responsibly protecting our land and soil and improving our water quality.”
Farmers that are nominated should have made environmental stewardship a priority on their farm and incorporated best management practices into their farming operation. As true stewards of the land, they recognize that improved water quality and soil sustainability reaps benefits that extend beyond their fields to citizens of Iowa and residents even further downstream.
Nominations may be submitted on a year-round basis and are due by June 15th of the year to be considered for the award. Farm owners and operators are eligible for consideration.
“Iowa is leading the way in using voluntary, science-based practices to protect our soil and improve water quality. This award is an opportunity to highlight and recognize the farmers who are going above and beyond to adopt conservation practices on their farm,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.
An appointed committee of representatives from both conservation and agricultural groups will review the nominations and select the winners. The recipients will be recognized on Wednesday, Aug. 17 at the Iowa State Fair.
Since creation of the award in 2012, more than 300 farm families have been recognized. Winners are presented a certificate as well as a yard sign donated by Monsanto. Hagie Manufacturing also sponsors a recognition luncheon for award recipients following the ceremony.
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