Area farms recognized with the River Friendly Farmer Award

Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 4:34 AM

By Staff report

Fifty-three Indiana farmers were recognized on August 6 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds for their exceptional commitment to conservation and land stewardship during the 2025 River Friendly Farmer Award Ceremony.

The ceremony honored farmers who have implemented proven conservation practices—such as cover crops, no-till farming, and field borders—to reduce erosion, improve water quality, and build healthy soils. These efforts not only protect Indiana’s rivers, streams, and lakes, but also contribute to the health of waterways far beyond state lines.

A shared theme among this year’s recipients is leaving the land better than they found it. Many are multi-generational farm families who see soil health and sustainable practices not only as essential to farm success today, but also as their legacy for the future.

The River Friendly Farmer Award is a program of the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (IASWCD) and Indiana’s 92 Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

The 2025 River Friendly Farmer Award winners locally were: Sellers Grain Service LLC in Marshall County, Jon and Jennifer Cook, along with Andy Zartman from Fulton County, and Hazelton Farms, along with K&D Bennett Farms, LLC, in Starke County.

Also from the area, Sunrise Harvest Farm in Pulaski County and Ed Boggs Farms of Kosciusko County.