Branstad, Reynolds, Northey & Gipp Recognize 95 Iowa Farm Families with Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award

Gov. Terry E. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Iowa Sec. of Agriculture Bill Northey and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Chuck Gipp presented 95 Iowa farm families with the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award during a ceremony at the Iowa State Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 19. 

“It is a pleasure to have the opportunity each year to recognize Iowans who go above and beyond to be good stewards of our land,” said Branstad. “Farmers take pride in conservation efforts and preserving and protecting our natural resources. The Farm Environmental Leader award gives us all an opportunity to recognize their efforts as exceptional leaders.” 

“The passion and dedication exhibited by the farmers honored at this year’s Farm Environmental Leader awards was inspiring. Many of the recipients remarked at how long they had been working to achieve such recognition,” said Reynolds. “We know that across Iowa farmers are committed to protecting the land and we were pleased to be able to highlight the work of some farm families’ exemplary work.” 

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.  It seeks to recognize the exemplary voluntary actions of farmers that improve or protect the environment and natural resources of our state while also encouraging other farmers to follow in their footsteps by building success upon success. 

This is the fourth year for the award program and to date more than 300 families have received recognition. 

“Iowa is a national leader in conservation and water quality efforts and it is important that we recognize the farmers who are making a significant investment in conservation efforts and serving as examples in how we can continue to better care for our air, soil and water,” Northey said. 

Winners were presented a certificate as well as a yard sign donated by Monsanto and a commemorative program provided by the Iowa Ag Water Alliance.  Hagie Manufacturing sponsored a recognition luncheon following the ceremony.  Bob Quinn from WHO Radio served as the Master of Ceremony. 

All winners were chosen by a selection group representing both conservation and agricultural groups. 

The selection group that approved the 2015 winners included Jim Gillespie from the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship, Bruce Trautman from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Jim Frederick from the Conservation Districts of Iowa, John Lawrence from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Sean McMahon from Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance, Jan Glendenning from The Nature Conservancy, Jeff Pape from the Iowa Farm Bureau, Jay Lynch from the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Jim Andrew from the Iowa Soybean Association, Pat Daufeldt from the Iowa Turkey Federation, Dan Wetherell from the Iowa Pork Producers Association and Haley Stalcup from the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. 

Please find spreadsheets that list all the 2015 winners of Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards here.  Photos were taken of families that came to the ceremony and the final column lists the families for which there is a picture available.  High resolution copies of the photos by the recipients’ last names can be found here. Please email Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov if you have other questions.