ISDA, Red Gold name Stewardship Award winners

INDIANAPOLIS — The winners of the 18th annual Red Gold Stewardship Award were recently announced by Red Gold and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

Niese Ag LLC of Pandora in northwestern Ohio won first place, and Myers Sod Farms of Seymour in south-central Indiana received second place.

The award is presented to Red Gold growers who value improving soil health and water quality on their operations.

“We have had 100% participation in this program for several years,” said Curt Utterback, director of agriculture at Red Gold.

“Many of the growers are multi-generational operations and taking care of the land is a top priority for them. They want to ensure that there will be future opportunities for themselves and others.”

Meet The Winners

Niese Ag grows corn, wheat, rye, soybeans, red raspberries, black raspberries and blackberries. They use many conservation practices including grass filter strips, grassed waterways, cover crops, reduced tillage, blind inlets, drainage water management structures, small grains and grade stabilization structures.

Myers Sod Farm grows corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, sod and tomatoes. Their conservation practices include small grains, cover crops, grass filter strips, grassed waterways, water and sediment control basins, vegetative field borders and blind inlets.

“Practicing conservation is important on our farm,” Adam Myers said. “We feel that if we take care of the land, it will take care of us.”

Niese Ag received a $1,500 scholarship and one extra load delivery of tomatoes per day. Myers Sod Farm received a $750 scholarship and an extra half load delivery of tomatoes per day.