Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards Presented to 33 Farm Families at the 2026 Iowa State Fair 8-19-2026
Prestigious award recognizes Iowa farmers who are leaders in conservation, soil health and water quality
DES MOINES, Iowa (Aug. 19, 2026) - Gov. Kim Reynolds, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon today recognized 33 Iowa farm families with Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards during a ceremony at the 2026 Iowa State Fair.
The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award recognizes farmers and farm families who demonstrate outstanding voluntary efforts to improve and protect Iowa’s soil and water resources while also serving as leaders in their communities. This year’s recipients utilize a wide range of conservation practices, including cover crops, no-till and reduced tillage, nutrient management, grassed waterways, terraces, wetlands, saturated buffers, rotational grazing, prairie restoration and other proven practices that improve water quality, protect soil and strengthen the long-term productivity of Iowa’s farmland.
"The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards show how important it is that growers are trusted and empowered to pursue stewardship practices that allow them to thrive,” said Gov. Reynolds. “The award winners we honor today are putting conservation at the center of everything they do. Congratulations to the 2026 recipients.”
“Generations of Iowa farmers have helped build and sustain our country and make it the exceptional nation it is today. This has been possible because of our rich natural resources and we all have a responsibility to protect them,” said Secretary Naig. “As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, these 33 farm families are carrying that proud tradition of stewardship forward. Through their leadership and conservation efforts, they are protecting our soil, improving water quality and leaving our land in better condition for future generations. These conservation-focused families represent the very best of Iowa agriculture.”
“We take great pride in honoring these leaders across our farming communities who put sound conservation at the forefront of their operations,” said Director Lyon. “Their commitment to conservation is paving the way for future generations and encouraging other farmers to follow their example.”
The 2026 recipients were selected by a committee representing conservation and agricultural organizations. Since the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award was created in 2012, 894 Iowa farm families have received the recognition.
As part of Iowa’s America250 celebration, each of this year’s recipients received a special America250 seal on their certificate and had their photo taken in front of an America250 backdrop.
The 2026 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award recipients, listed alphabetically by last name, are:
Manley and Linda Bigalk
Howard County
Jeremy and Norman Buck
Buck Farms
Marshall County
Robert Busch
Tri-B Limited
Bremer County
Sharon L. Chism
Palo Alto County
Gene De Bruin
Mahaska County
Chris and Tammy Eibey
Delaware County
Paula and Jeff Ellis
PJ Family Farms LTD
Lee County
Arlen and Patricia Fisher
Iowa County
Caleb and Ted Hamer, Scott Beenken and Kyle Mesch
B & H Ag Services
Black Hawk County
Chris Hansen
Hansen Farm
Black Hawk County
Scott Hilgerson
Penny-Royal Farms
Clayton County
JD and David Hollingsworth
Hollingsworth Farms
Jefferson County
James Holz
Holz Brothers
Greene County
Lawrence “Larry” Howard
Story County
Andrew and Matthew Hurd
M & A Farms
Sac County
Roy Jensen
Jensen Family Farming
Kossuth County
Kim and Chad Kischer
Buena Vista County
Jeremiah and Meghan Koch
Black Hawk County
Neil and Sandy Krummen
Clay County
Kevin and Pamela Luers
Keokuk County
Margaret McQuown and Matthew and Jocelyn Vermeersch
Resilient Farms and Root & Raise Land and Livestock
Montgomery County
Jerry Ouverson
Jerdon Farms Inc.
Cerro Gordo County
Phil and Amy Patterson
Adair County
Joe and Paige Roberts
Wright County
Joe Rowe
Rowe Farms
Mitchell County
Riley Schnell
Jasper County
Doug and Glenda Schroeder
Schroeder Angus
Cedar County
Steve and Kathleen Struecker and Andy and Brittany Struecker
ABS Farms LLC
Kossuth County
Gene Ver Steeg, Mike and Sarah Ver Steeg, and Cody and Kaylee Ver Steeg
Lyon County
Jon and Nicole Vernon
Jones County
Steve and Patty Weeks
Weeks Family Farm
Madison County
Dallas Wessels
Pleasant Valley Family Farms
Grundy County
Matt and Cassie Winters
Spring Valley Ranch Land and Cattle
Clayton County
A list of previous recipients is available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website. High-resolution photos will be available within one month of the ceremony on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Flickr page.
