The American Soybean Association (ASA) is pleased to announce the regional winners for the 2003 Conservation Legacy Awards.

The Conservation Legacy Awards Program is a national program designed to recognize the outstanding environmental and conservation achievement of U.S. soybean farmers. Along with ASA, the program is co-sponsored by Monsanto and Soybean Digest, an Intertec/Primedia publication.

A national selection committee, composed of soybean farmers, conservationists, and natural resource professionals, evaluated all nominations based on each farmer’s environmental and economic program. Based on information submitted, the following individuals have been chosen to represent the Western, Northeastern, Midwestern and Southern Regions.

Western Region – Harold & Virginia Kraus, K.U. Farms, Hays, Kansas
Harold began his career in 1960 after serving in the U.S. Navy. His operation began with 960 acres of mostly rented land. He now farms 2,500 acres. The overall goal of K.U. Farms is zero runoff. To accomplish this, Harold and Virginia employ reduced and no-till practices, buffer strips, terracing and they have an aggressive nutrient management system.

Northeastern Region – Jan & Cindy Layman, Layman Farms, Kenton, Ohio
The Laymans operate a 100 percent no-till operation in West Central Ohio. The labor, fuel, and timesavings of no-till have allowed rapid expansion of their operation. The Laymans also employ buffer strips and grass waterways on their erodible land. A 2.5 acre stocked lake is a centerpiece for the Layman’s farm. The lake provides water and habitat for a number of wildlife.

Midwestern Region – Delbert & Shirley Price, Alexis, Illinois
The Prices consider conservation a method of farming that preserves soil from wind and water erosion for future generations. They use a number of sustainable farming practices on their land. In addition to conservation tillage and a nutrient management plan, the Prices have installed more than 13 acres of waterways, three water and sediment control basis, and two acres of critical area planting. They have also constructed a pond to manage excessive runoff.

Southern Region – Earl Brown Hendrix, Hendrix Farms, Raeford, North Carolina
Earl Hendrix strives to promote wildlife, energy conservation, farm aesthetics, and neighbor relations in his day-to-day activities at Hendrix Farms. Hendrix practices conservation in everything he does on his family’s farm from picking up trash to proper crop rotations to scientifically applied fertilizer and land nutrients, and by protecting both land and water.

All four regional winners and a spouse/guest will receive a trip to Commodity Classic, the annual joint convention of the American Soybean Association and National Corn Growers Association, February 27 – March 1, 2003 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Regional winners will also be featured in the January 2003 issue of Soybean Digest.

From the four regional winners, one national winner will be announced during ASA’s annual Awards Banquet, Thursday, February 27, 2003. The national winner will also receive a plaque and yard sign, and will be featured in a special Soybean Digest article.