A total of 53 families received the annual Farm Environmental Leader Awards at the Iowa State Fair. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon recognized the farm families for their environmental stewardship during a ceremony at the 2019 Iowa State Fair. The award acknowledges farmers who take voluntary actions to improve or protect the environment and our state’s natural resources.

Area farmers who received the recognition are Marek Land and Livestock, Larry, Brad and Tim Marek of Washington County; the Thom and Mary Miller family of Henry and Washington Counties; K7 Herefords, Tom and Jo Heidt of Henry and Jefferson Counties; and David and Micaela Klein of Keokuk County.

Since the creation of the Farm Environmental Leader Award in 2012, more than 500 Iowa farm families have been recognized by the Governor, Department of Agriculture and Department of Natural Resources.