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Indiana farmers recognized for conservation practices

One of the farmers honored for his commitment to conservation says he wants to leave the land in better condition for future generations.

Garry Tom tells Brownfield the farm has implemented conservation practices for several decades because of the many lakes and streams in Kosciusko County.

“We live really close to the lakes and we wanted to make sure we could control the erosion as much as possible,” he says. “Our father was a real conservationist and he passed a lot of good ideas onto us.”

Tom farms alongside his brother Max. They use cover crops to improve soil health and the farm has been no-till for 40 years.

Their farm was one of 49 farms recognized with Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ River-Friendly Farmer Award at the Indiana State Fair.

Jamie Scott, president of the organization, says farmers deserve to be recognized for their conservation efforts.

“Everyone needs clean waters and healthy soil, it’s part of life and [farmers] are doing a good job taking care of it for us,” he says. “They need to be recognized today and everyday for the effort they put into it.”

Since 1999, the IASWCD has recognized farmers who use conservation practices to keep Indiana’s rivers, lakes, and streams clean.

Audio: Garry Tom, Kosciusko County farmer

Audio: Jamie Scott, IASWCD president