Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards

Gov. Kim Reynolds, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon recognized 33 Iowa farm families with Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards during a ceremony at the 2026 Iowa State Fair. The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award recognizes farmers and farm families who demonstrate outstanding voluntary efforts to improve and protect Iowa’s soil and water resources while also serving as leaders in their communities. Out of those 33 recipients, 9 are from our listening area. Manly and Linda Bigalk from Howard County, Robert Busch from Bremer County, Caleb & Ted Hamer, Scott Beenken, & Kyle Mesch from Black Hawk County, Chris Hansen from Black Hawk County, Jeramiah and Meghan Koch from Blackhawk County, Jerry Ouverson from Cerro Gordo County, Joe & Paige Roberts from Wright County, Joe Rowe from Mitchell County, & Dallas Wessels from Grundy County. Congratulations to all of the following Iowa Farm Families!