Illinois Stewardship Alliance honors outstanding farmer, conservation leader

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Stewardship Alliance presented two awards recognizing outstanding farmer leaders for their contribution to sustainable and local agriculture in Illinois.

Monte Bottens of Bottens Family Farm, Cambridge, received the fourth annual Woody Woodruff Conservation Award.

The award is named in memory of Robert “Woody” Woodruff, a beloved conservation leader, Macoupin County farmer and Illinois Stewardship Alliance staff member who passed away after a battle with cancer in 2020, and recognizes a farmer who exemplifies his passion for soil, water and community.

Chicago farmer Christal Tarver received the 2026 Local Food Changemaker of the Year Award for her exemplary leadership in growing the local food economy and helping Illinois farmers feed Illinois.

Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II presented the awards at the Illinois State Fair’s Ag Day.

Monte Bottens

Bottens, a fifth-generation farmer, is stewarding land his family has farmed since 1869. He and his wife, Robyn, are guided by two simple principles: “take the next right step” and “do the right thing always.”

Like Woodruff, he believes that healthy soil is one of the greatest legacies farmers can leave future generations and that conservation leadership extends beyond the farm gate.

The family’s 2,000-acre operation in Henry County has evolved into a diversified, systems-based farm centered on soil health.

After adopting no-till in 1995, Bottens expanded his conservation approach through intensive cover cropping and livestock integration.

Today, the farm includes corn, soybeans, wheat, diverse cover crop mixes and cattle, pigs and poultry managed through rotational grazing systems that help rebuild soil health and strengthen the farm’s resilience.

His commitment to stewardship also extends to connecting consumers with regenerative agriculture. In 2018, he and his wife launched Grateful Graze, providing grass-fed beef, timber-raised pork, pasture-raised poultry and eggs directly to families across the Quad Cities and the Midwest.

His practical, results-driven approach has inspired neighboring landowners to adopt soil health practices on their own farms, demonstrating that conservation and profitability can go hand in hand.

Beyond his own operation, Bottens has become a leading voice for regenerative agriculture through Ag Solutions Network and the AgEmerge Podcast.

As the founder and host, he shares conversations with farmers, researchers and conservation leaders to share soil health knowledge and help growers of any scale adopt regenerative practices.

Christal Tarver

Tarver is the owner and operator of Community Roots Garden NFP on Chicago’s South Side, where she grows food, builds community and expands opportunities for farmers who have historically faced barriers to success.

What was once a vacant lot has been transformed into a thriving community garden featuring 15 raised beds of organically grown vegetables, fruits and herbs, creating a vibrant space for learning, connection and local food production.

Tarver’s commitment to improving Illinois’ food system was especially evident through her leadership on House Bill 4922, legislation that established a framework for distributing funding to emerging and socially disadvantaged farmers.

While funding had been appropriated for years, the lack of implementation guidelines prevented resources from reaching the farmers they were intended to support.

Tarver played an active role in shaping advocacy efforts, participating in strategy meetings, providing feedback and sharing her experiences to help policymakers better understand the challenges facing beginning and underserved farmers.

For the first time in her career, Tarver testified before the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee, helping lawmakers understand why equitable access to resources is critical for strengthening local food systems and supporting the next generation of farmers.

Beyond her policy advocacy, she is committed to building community and creating pathways for others to succeed. She generously shares her knowledge, encourages fellow farmers to engage in advocacy and demonstrates that meaningful change happens when farmers have a seat at the table.