The American Soybean Association (ASA) is pleased to announce the new Conservation Legacy Awards that will recognize the environmental contributions of soybean farmers around the nation.

"The Conservation Legacy Awards will recognize the outstanding contributions soybean farmers are making to protect our nation’s land, water, and air" said Tony Anderson, ASA President and a producer from Mount Sterling, Ohio. "Clean air and clean water are important to all of us, but as stewards of the land, farmers have a special obligation to protect our natural resources. This award will allow the soybean industry to recognize those farmers who are voluntarily taking action to conserve our land for future generations."

Producers interested in receiving the reward will be asked to complete an application that will be judged by a national selection committee composed of soybean farmers, environmentalists, soybean industry representatives, and government officials. Award winners will be selected based upon a combination of environmental and economic criteria.

"Conservation tillage is a good news story in agriculture; it benefits the environment but also has great economic benefits for growers" says Doug Dorsey, Monsanto Marketing Director. "The labor and cost savings realized by growers who use conservation tillage can have a significant impact on productivity and efficiency, reducing total input costs by as much as 10-percent."

ASA members, who actively farm, including individual farmers or farm families, are eligible to receive the Conservation Legacy Award. Farmers may apply for the award or be nominated. Application/nomination forms will be available from ASA this Spring.

"This is the kind of program that's a win-win for everyone involved," says Ron Sorensen, Publisher of Soybean Digest. "We're proud to be a sponsor and even prouder to help recognize farmers who have long been true stewards."

"Environmental stewardship is important to farmers, consumers, and the entire soybean industry. ASA is pleased to be able to join with Monsanto and Soybean Digest to kick-off this important program that can foster and promote sound environmental management throughout the soybean industry," concluded Anderson.