Eight area farm families are among the 66 recognized as Iowa Farm Environmental Leaders. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, and acting Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director, Bruce Trautman, presented the awards during the Iowa State Fair to farmers who have led the state in environmental stewardship. This is a joint effort between the Governor, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to recognize producers who are committed to healthy soils and improved water quality and their exemplary voluntary actions to improve and protect the environment and natural resources while encouraging others to follow in their footsteps. “It is important we celebrate the conservation leaders who continually demonstrate their passion for protecting the soil and improving water quality,” Naig says. “These awards help celebrate these deserving farmers and highlight their commitment to and investment in environmental stewardship.” Recipients from the listening area include: Doug and Jamie Bartels of Lytton, farming in Calhoun and Sac Counties; Jim and Sylvia Berger of Carroll; Jerome and Janet Dickson of Menlo in Guthrie County; Dale and Sharon Fertig of Wall Lake, farming in Sac and Crawford Counties; Bill and Melissa and Al and Ann Frederick of Jefferson; D G and Rosemary Partridge of Wall Lake; Brian Rank, with BJR Farms of Denison; and Darrell Weems of Adel, who farms in Cass, Dallas and Carroll Counties.
Photos of those present to accept their awards:
