SEYMOUR, Ind. – The Indiana State Department of Agriculture and Red Gold recently announced the winners of the 2023 Red Gold Stewardship Award, one of which is a farm in Seymour. Niese Ag LLC of Pandora, Ohio was selected as the first-place winner, and Myers Sod Farms LLC of Seymour, Ind. received second-place honors.
The annual competition is a partnership of Red Gold and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. The award is given to Red Gold tomato growers who value improving soil health and water quality in their operations.
In addition to tomatoes, the Jackson County farm grows sod, corn, soybeans, and wheat. On each of their farms, they have implemented a variety of stewardship and conservation practices. “Practicing conservation is important on our farm. We feel that if we take care of the land, it will take care of us,” said Adam Myer of Myers Sod Farm.
The Midwest is the leader in soil conservation efforts. Specifically in the Hoosier state, farmers use a variety of soil conservation practices and planted more than 1.6 million acres of cover crops in 2022.
As the top winner, Niese Ag LLC received a $1,000 scholarship and the option to ship an extra truckload of tomatoes per day during harvest season. Myers Sod Farms LLC was awarded a $500 scholarship and the opportunity to ship an extra half truckload of tomatoes per day during harvest.
