Governor’s office, Iowa DNR and Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship celebrate conservation achievements of Iowa farm families.

More than 800 Iowa farm families have been recognized as recipients of the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award since 2012.

The award, a joint effort of the Iowa governor’s office, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Iowa De­partment of Natural Resources, recognizes the exemplary voluntary efforts of Iowa’s farmers as environmental leaders committed to healthy soils and improved water quality.

Award winners have adopted best management practices and incorporated environmental stewardship throughout their farming operations by using cover crops, no-till, wetlands, bioreactors, sat­urated buffers, grass waterways and many other proven conservation practices that improve water quality, enhance soil health and support the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Their leadership also encourages other farmers to adopt similar conservation practices.

“Farming and environmental stewardship have always gone hand-in-hand,” says Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. “We’re proud to honor farm families who have gone above and beyond, often for generations, to safeguard the land that feeds the world and makes our way of life possible.”


Nominations may be submitted at any time. To be considered for recognition in 2025, nominations will be accepted through May 5. Winners are chosen by a committee representing conservation and agricultural groups.

Recipients are honored at the Iowa State Fair each year. A total of 821 Iowa farm families have been recognized since the award was created in 2012.

“Iowa continues to set records for conservation and water quality practice implementation, and this award recognizes our state’s farm families who are leading the way and serving as positive examples for others,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig. “We are committed to accelerating our state’s water quality efforts in the years ahead, and I am confident that Iowa’s farmers and landowners will rise to meet to this challenge.” 

A list of past winners and nomination forms are available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship website at iowaagriculture.gov/farm-environmental-leader-awards.