Red Gold stewardship award winners named

ELWOOD, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — Two Indiana farms have received awards for their conservation efforts from Red Gold and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. First place in the Red Gold Stewardship award was presented to Myers Sod Farm of Seymour and second place went to Rice Farms of LaPorte.

“Red Gold and it’s growers are committed to stewardship practices that enhance soil health and improve water quality,” said Red Gold’s Director of Agriculture, Steve Smith. “I am honored to recognize these exceptional growers and stewards of the land.”

Adam Myers of Myers Sod Farm says he started eight years ago with a variety of crops, including row crops, sod and tomatoes.

“Practicing conservation is important on our farm,” said Myers. “We feel that if we take care of the land, it will take care of us.”

Myers says they have implemented several conservation efforts, including grassed waterways, vegetative field borders and control basins on their farm.

Third-generation farmer Scott Rice of Rice Farms has shifted their operation over the past 100 years from livestock to specialty crops, including tomatoes, seed corn and wheat. They use a variety of conservation measures, including grass filter strips and constructed wetlands.

“We want to do the right thing,” said Scott Rice. “We want to be good stewards of the land we have been blessed with so that we can pass it on in as good, or better, shape to the next generation.”

Myers Sod Farm won a $1,000 scholarship and the option to ship an extra truckload of tomatoes per day during harvest. Rice Farms received a $500 scholarship and the chance to ship an extra half truckload of tomatoes per day during harvest.