Midwest farmers named soil conservation stewards
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The Indiana State Department of Agriculture and Elwood-based Red Gold recently named two Midwest tomato growers as stewards in farming.
The state agency partners with Red Gold every year to present its Red Gold Stewardship award. This year’s recipients are Niese Ag LLC in Pandora, Ohio and Myers Sod Farms of Seymour, Indiana.
As first place winner, Niese Ag was awarded a $1,000 scholarship and an option to ship an extra truckload of tomatoes each day during harvest season. In second place, Myers Sod Farms was awarded $500 and an option to ship an additional half truckload a day during harvest.
The state agriculture department and Red Gold specifically seek to recognize growers who prioritize soil health and water quality in their farming practices.
“The growers are committed in continuing their good efforts with soil and water conservation practices,” Red Gold Director of Agriculture Curt Utterback said in a news release. “They are appreciative to be part of an industry providing nutrient food for an ever-growing population, and they want to ensure that their future family generations will have the same opportunity of producing the freshest, best-tasting tomatoes.”
One way farmers can practice strong soil conversation practices is through planting cover crops. In Indiana, growers planted more than 1.6 million acres of cover crops in 2022, according to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.
This year’s Red Gold Stewardship winner, Niese Ag, interseeds cover crops in its corn and soybean fields. Owner Derek Niese said this comes as an effort “to build and preserve the farmland for future generations.”
Southern Indiana’s Myers Sod Farms also works with cover crops, as well as practices reduced tillage and regular soil testing to preserve farmland.
“Practicing conservation is important on our farm,” Myers Sod Farm Owner Adam Myer said in the release. “We feel that if we take care of the land, it will take care of us.”