Field to Market Honors Illinois Corn Growers Association, PepsiCo, Bunge, Iowa Farmer Jack Boyer and Tennessee Extension Specialist Lori Duncan at 2020 Sustainability Leadership Awards

November 12, 2020 /3BL Media/ - Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture recognized the recipients of the 2020 Sustainability Leadership Awards at their annual Plenary and General Assembly meeting. Presented as the capstone of the Alliance’s fall meeting, these awards are given to farmers, organizations and individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership through their efforts to advance continuous improvement in the sustainability of U.S. commodity crop production.

The recipients of the 2020 Sustainability Leadership Awards are as follows:

• 2020 Farmer of the Year: Jack Boyer, 4^th Generation Farmer, Reinbeck, Iowa

  Honoring the outstanding contributions of a farmer who is committed to advancing sustainable agriculture through conservation and stewardship efforts on their farm and sharing best practices with their peers, this year’s Farmer of the Year Award recognizes Iowa corn and soy farmer Jack Boyer for his leadership and dedication to conservation. As Field to Market’s highest honor for commodity crop producers, this distinctive award celebrates Boyer’s commitment to delivering continuous improvement in soil health and related sustainable outcomes.

  Boyer’s pursuit of on-farm sustainability research trials and his commitment to building soil health has delivered tangible environmental outcomes, including creating soil resiliency which mitigated the impacts of the August 2020 derecho which swept through Iowa on his operation. His dedication to a rigorous, science-based approach to maximizing the health of his soil and sharing solutions with farmers and landlords alike has resulted in positive economic opportunities and conservation outcomes which will sustain future generations not only on his farm, but across the Iowa landscape. 
   

• 2020 Collaboration of the Year: Precision Conservation Management Innovation Project

  Recognizing outstanding collaboration and cross-sector partnership in advancing continuous improvement in sustainable agriculture at the field and landscape level, this year’s Collaboration of the Year Award honors Field to Market members involved in the Illinois-based Precision Conservation Management (PCM) Innovation Project—the Illinois Corn Growers Association, PepsiCo, Bunge, The Nature Conservancy and Environmental Defense Fund. 

  Representing an impactful collaboration that spans four of Field to Market’s membership sectors, the PCM project enrolled in Field to Market’s Continuous Improvement Accelerator highlights the power of diverse stakeholders to unite behind supporting farmers in driving powerful environmental and economic outcomes. Bolstered by a trusted network of one-on-one advisers and the powerful sustainability engine of the Fieldprint Platform, PCM provides more than 300 farmers across 325,000 acres with financial and technical assistance that incentivizes uptake and mitigates the risk of implementing conservation practices.
   

• 2020 Trusted Adviser of the Year: Dr. Lori Duncan, Row Crop Sustainability Specialist, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture

  Recognizing outstanding leadership in supporting farmers in their pursuit of continuous improvement, this year’s Trusted Adviser of the Year Award was awarded to Dr. Lori Duncan, row crop sustainability specialist at the University of Tennessee’s Institute of Agriculture. 

  A noted sustainability researcher and a trusted personal adviser to cotton growers across Tennessee, Dr. Duncan brings an integrated, multi-disciplinary skillset to develop research, education and outreach programs which deliver sustainability insights and improvements to farmers in Tennessee. Dr. Duncan’s research has been recognized by peers in the state and beyond and stakeholders across the broader cotton industry, as she serves as a board member of the newly formed U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. 

Whether it was by building climate resiliency through improved soil health, scaling the on-farm impact of sustainability research through extension or harmonizing economic and sustainability outcomes for farmers, this year’s honorees showcase the best of leadership in sustainable agriculture and demonstrate how innovative and collaborative approaches can enable agriculture to better support resilient ecosystems, while enhancing farmer livelihoods.

“Congratulations to our three awardees—their leadership in supporting resilient ecosystems and economic vitality for farmers are inspiring examples to the entire industry for how to build a more sustainable agricultural system,” said Rod Snyder, president of Field to Market. “We applaud Jack Boyer, Lori Duncan and the Field to Market members involved in the Precision Conservation Management program for their personal commitments to conservation and for improving environmental outcomes at the field, farm and landscape levels.”

The winners of Field to Market’s Sustainability Leadership Awards are selected by the Alliance’s Awards and Recognition Committee and Board of Directors. Each recipient demonstrates leadership in the pursuit of continuous improvement, resulting in measurable results and significant impact on both agriculture and the environment.

Learn more about the 2020 Sustainability Leadership Award winners at www.fieldtomarket.org/awards. 

ABOUT FIELD TO MARKET

Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture brings together a diverse group of grower organizations; agribusinesses; food, beverage, restaurant and retail companies; conservation groups; universities and public sector partners to focus on defining, measuring and advancing the sustainability of food, fiber and fuel production. Field to Market is comprised of nearly 150 members representing all facets of the U.S. agricultural supply chain, with members employing more than 5 million people and representing combined revenues totaling over $1.5 trillion. For more information, visit www.fieldtomarket.org and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FieldtoMarket