By Blair Shipp, ASA State Policy Communications Coordinator

Winners Jessica & James Baxter, Katherine & Alex Forsbach, Jon & Cathy Nelson, and Lewis & Carrie Unruh with ASA President Scott Metzger (OH), USB Chair Brent Gatton (KY), Christine Tew from Valent, and Samantha Davis from Bayer.

For many soybean farmers, conservation is not a new idea or a trend driven by outside pressure. It is a mindset shaped over generations, rooted in the understanding that the land they farm today must be cared for tomorrow.

That spirit was on full display as the American Soybean Association recognized its 2026 Conservation Legacy Award winners at Commodity Classic, where farmers from across the country gathered to celebrate not only innovation and productivity, but stewardship.

This year’s honorees included four regional winners and one national winner, each representing a different part of the country and a shared commitment to strengthening their farms through conservation.

South Region & National Winner: Alex Forsbach, Tennessee

In Tennessee, Alex Forsbach has spent more than a decade building a conservation system rooted in patience, consistency, and long-term thinking. That work earned him both the 2026 South region Conservation Legacy Award and national honors.

Forsbach’s operation centers on no-till and cover crops, practices that have gradually transformed his soil.

Alex Forsbach and his wife, Katherine, accept the South Region ASA Conservation Legacy Award from ASA President Scott Metzger.

Over time, he has seen improvements in organic matter, structure, and moisture retention.

“It doesn’t happen overnight,” Forsbach said. “You have to stay consistent and trust the process.”

That steady approach has helped his farm become more resilient while improving efficiency and productivity.

As the national winner, Forsbach represents a broader mindset among conservation leaders, one focused on continuous improvement and a willingness to share what works.

“If we want to keep farming strong into the future, we have to be willing to learn and help others along the way,” he said.

Midwest Region Winner: Lewis Unruh, Kansas

Lewis Unruh and his wife, Carrie, accept the Midwest Region ASA Conservation Legacy Award from ASA President Scott Metzger.

For Kansas farmer Lewis Unruh, conservation is something passed down through generations. Named the 2026 Midwest region winner, Unruh continues a family legacy that began with contour farming to reduce erosion.

Today, his operation has evolved into a system built on no-till, cover crops, and improved water management.

“We’ve always believed that if you take care of the soil, it will take care of you,” Unruh said.

That philosophy guides his approach as input costs rise and margins tighten. By improving soil structure and water infiltration, Unruh has created a system that supports both sustainability and long-term profitability.

For Unruh, conservation is not a single practice. It is a commitment to ensuring the land remains productive for the next generation.

Upper Midwest Region Winners: Jon & Cathy Nelson, South Dakota

Jon and Cathy Nelson accept the Upper Midwest Region ASA Conservation Legacy Award from ASA President Scott Metzger.

Jon and Cathy Nelson were named the 2026 Upper Midwest region winners, recognized for an operation built on adaptability and continuous learning.

Their farm incorporates no-till, diverse crop rotations, and practices designed to build soil health over time. In a region defined by weather variability, those efforts have created resilience.

“You have to be willing to try things, learn from them, and keep adapting,” Jon Nelson said.

Healthier soils have helped the Nelsons better manage both drought and excess moisture, strengthening their operation.

For the couple, conservation also means sharing their experiences.

“If something works for us, we want to share it,” Cathy Nelson said. “That’s how agriculture moves forward.”

Northeast Region Winner: James “Jay” Baxter, Delaware

James Baxter and his wife, Jessica, accept the Northeast Region ASA Conservation Legacy Award from ASA President Scott Metzger.

Jay Baxter, named the 2026 Northeast region winner, farms in a landscape where conservation decisions extend beyond the field.

In Delaware, protecting water quality is a constant consideration. Baxter’s use of no-till, cover crops, and nutrient management helps reduce runoff while improving soil health.

“This isn’t just about our farm, it’s about our community and the resources we all share,” Baxter said.

His approach reflects the connection between farming and the surrounding environment.

“At the end of the day, we want to leave this land better than we found it,” he said.

A Program That Elevates Farmer Leadership

The Conservation Legacy Awards program was created to recognize farmers who improve their operations while protecting the resources they depend on.

The program is supported by ASA and industry partners, including BASF, Bayer, Nutrien, Valent USA, and the United Soybean Board through the soy checkoff.

A national selection committee made up of farmers, conservationists, agronomists, and natural resource professionals evaluates applicants.

Each year, the program highlights regional leaders and one national winner whose operation reflects excellence in conservation.

Conservation in Practice

Across all four winning operations, common themes emerge.

Soil health is central, supported by no-till and cover crops that reduce erosion and improve structure. Water management plays a key role, whether through contour farming or nutrient stewardship. Precision tools help farmers apply inputs efficiently.

Just as important as the practices themselves is the mindset behind them. These farmers are building systems that evolve over time.

Looking Ahead

As agriculture faces tight margins, rising input costs, and increased expectations around sustainability, these farmers offer a clear message.

Conservation is not separate from productivity. It is part of it.

For the 2026 Conservation Legacy Award winners, recognition at Commodity Classic marked an important milestone. But their work continues in the field, season after season.

Across the country, soybean farmers are proving that stewardship is not just part of their story. It is the foundation of what comes next.