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.
More rain, wind, storms possible Tuesday
"Improving Outcomes, Together" theme for National EMS Week
Candidates can begin filing for school board elections on Tuesday
Indiana Natural Resources Commission to hold public hearing for bobcat rule changes
Single-lane closures to impact State Road 63 near Cayuga
Parke County teenage arrested after biting toddler
Duke Energy breaks ground on Cayuga Energy Complex project
Miller, Vincent lead Parke Heritage Class of 2026
May 15 is National Peace Officers Memorial Day
Indiana Conservation Officers seek help finding track chairs stolen from Fort Harrison State Park
Clay County man among six drug traffickers, including one illegal alien, sentenced to decades in federal prison
110th running of the Indianapolis 500 a sellout, local TV delay lifted
Projects wanted for READI 2.0 and Lilly Blight funding
Rockville man nabbed for harmful matter
USDA requires SNAP authorized retailers to carry more real food
Congressman Yakym's staff to hold mobile office hours in Plymouth this month
Indiana state senator working to legalize medical marijuana
“Click It or Ticket” campaign reminds Hoosiers to buckle up
