Farm environmental leader awards are being presented to 53 Iowa families, including some in Washington County. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced that along with the Iowa Governor’s Office and the Department of Natural Resources, awards will be given to families embracing environmental conservation practices. The awards are being presented to farm families who have added cover crops, wetlands, bioreactors and saturated buffers, which support the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, to their land. The recipients recognize the benefits of conservation practices extend beyond their fields to the residents downstream. Washington County farms receiving the award this year include Marek Land and Livestock of Larry, Brad, and Tim Marek; and the Thom and Mary Miller Family.

Since 2012, more than 500 Iowa farm families have been recognized with the Farm Environmental Leader Award. The families will be recognized at the Iowa State Fair.