Farmers and others can nominate someone in their county for the 2016 Conservation Farmer of the Year Award. The award is co-sponsored by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. This recognition program began in 1952 and highlights the continuous voluntary conservation improvements made by all Iowa farmers.

The statewide winner again this year will have the free use of a John Deere 6D Series utility tractor or its equivalent for up to 12 months (or up to 200 hours). The Van Wall Group and John Deere are sponsoring the use of the tractor for the state winner. The award and the tractor prize for the state winner are designed to raise awareness of Iowa farmers’ commitment to conserve state soil and water resources.

Write a brief letter (no more than 100 words) summarizing a deserving farmer's conservation and community leadership efforts and send it (before the June 1 deadline) to your county Soil and Water Conservation District office. (Click here for an interactive map of County Conservation District offices around the state and contact information). The SWCD office will follow up with nomination details. Only one farmer can be nominated by the SWCD in each county.

The winner will be recognized and get the keys to their tractor August 30 at the Conservation Districts of Iowa annual meeting in Altoona. 

Pictured above: last year's winner, Tim Smith of Wright County.