Winners Announced for National Ag Conservation Award 

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.     The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) announces three winners – two producers and one alliance – of the Core 4 Conservation Awards. These awards recognize producers who protect the environment while running a profitable farming operation. The alliance winner is recognized for efforts to promote environmentally sound and economically viable farming at the local level. Winners will receive the awards Feb. 11 at the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla.

Syngenta Crop Protection, Capital Agricultural Property Services, Inc. (CAPS) and IMC Global sponsor these awards, with support from CTIC and NACD, as part of the Core 4 Conservation national conservation campaign, which promotes using a system of conservation practices that not only protects or improves natural resources but also enhances farm profitability. This innovative approach to ag management results in Better Soil, Cleaner Water, Greater Profits and Brighter Future. Alliances are voluntary groups led by farmers or other local leaders working to implement conservation in their community and promote Core 4 Conservation at the local level.

Frank Phelps, of Belle Center, Ohio, will receive $1,000 and a plaque as the first place Core 4 Conservation producer. Believing in his role as a steward of the land, Mr. Phelps employs a comprehensive system of conservation practices on his 1,500-acre crop and livestock operation. In addition to building better soil through continuous no-till for more than 10 years, Mr. Phelps helps the Indian Lake watershed work toward cleaner water by using grassed waterways, filter strips, nutrient and pest management, rotational grazing, manure management, native grass plantings and wetland restoration. Leading by example in his community, Mr. Phelps has helped bring about significant improvements in Indian Lake and its tributaries.

Rod Zessin, of Madison, Neb., was awarded the second place producer award and will receive $500 and a plaque. Using a continuous no-till system on his 2,100 acres of corn and soybeans for nearly 10 years, Mr. Zessin has seen yields steadily increase. Adding to the system, he installed conservation buffers, used soil testing programs, built pesticide containment facilities and planted trees. The time, labor, fuel and machinery cost savings realized by Mr. Zessin have increased the viability and profitability of his farming operation and afforded more time for his family. 

The first presentation of the Core 4 Conservation alliance award -- $1,500 and a plaque -- was given to the Delta Conservation Demonstration Center (DCDC), of Greenville, Miss. Powered by the partnership of local farmers, agribusiness, wildlife groups and local, state and federal government, the DCDC brings innovative conservation solutions to the Delta region. The goal of the DCDC is to create a working farm where Delta producers and conservationists can learn about the system of best management practices that will work – environmentally and economically. The Center’s network of buffers, waterways and riparian zones show how to work toward cleaner eater. The cotton, corn, rice and soybean rotation in a no-till system will help to demonstrate better soil. Alternative crops grown on small acreage will help limited resource farmers to realize greater profits. And, through its demonstrated system of success, the DCDC is working toward a brighter future for all of Delta agriculture. 

For more information about the Core 4 Conservation Awards, contact CTIC, a nonprofit public-private partnership working to promote soil and water quality and equip agriculture with affordable, integrated management solutions. Call 765-494-9555 or go to www.ctic.purdue.edu.    

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Core 4 Conservation Award Sponsors  

Syngenta Crop Protection is a world leading agribusiness. The company ranks first in crop protection and third in the high-value commercial seeds market. The company is committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative Research and Technology. Website: www.syngentacropprotection.com. 

CAPS provides agricultural land management, consulting, real estate brokerage and auction services nationwide. It is one of the country's largest managers of cropland and has also handled more than $1.3 billion in farm and ranch real estate transactions. Website: www.capitalag.com.

IMC Global serves world agriculture as the largest global producer and supplier of concentrated phosphates and potash fertilizers. Its Back-to-Basics program educates growers on the importance and benefits of proper fertilization. Website: www.back-to-basics.net. 

CTIC is a nonprofit public-private partnership working to promote soil and water quality and equip agriculture with affordable, integrated management solutions. Website: www.ctic.purdue.edu. 

NACD is the nonprofit organization that represents the nation's 3,000 conservation districts, local units of government established under state law to carry out natural resource management programs at the local level. Conservation Districts help more than 2.5 million cooperating landowners and operators manage and protect land and water resources on nearly 98 percent of the private lands in the United States. Website: http://nacdnet.org.  

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