Dan Byrnes family recognized with Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award at Iowa State Fair

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Chuck Gipp presented 67 Iowa farm families with the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award during a ceremony at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines Friday, August 17. Karl Brooks, Regional Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Region 7 Office in Kansas City, KS was also present at the ceremony to recognize the winners.
Among those 67 families receiving recognition for their environmental efforts was the Dan Byrnes family of Waukon. Dan and his wife, Traci, and their daughter, Natalie, were in attendance at the award ceremony in Des Moines.
“The agricultural industry is a vital part of the state’s economy, and a vital part in feeding a growing world population. I know farmers take great pride for the work they do and the commodities they produce. Farmers also take pride in their environmental stewardship, by protecting topsoil from erosion and keeping our waterways clean. This award is thanks for their efforts,” Branstad said at the award ceremony.
The award is a joint effort between the Governor, Lt. Governor, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources to recognize the efforts of Iowa’s farmers as environmental leaders committed to healthy soils and improved water quality. It seeks to recognize the exemplary voluntary actions of farmers that improve or protect the environment and natural resources of this state while also encouraging other farmers to follow in their footsteps by building success upon success.
“Iowa has tremendous farmers who are not only the most productive in the world, but who also understand that we must care for the soil and water and preserve it for the next generation,” Northey said. “By highlighting farmers that have taken steps on their farm to better protect the environment, we also want the award to bring attention to local leaders in environmental stewardship and serve as an encouragement to others to incorporate additional conservation practices.”
Winners were presented a certificate as well as a yard sign donated by Monsanto. All winners were chosen by a selection group representing both conservation and agriculture.
The selection group that approved the 2012 winners included Jim Gillespie from the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship, Bruce Trautman from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Jim Frederick from the Conservation Districts of Iowa, John Lawrence from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Sean McMahon from The Nature Conservancy, Jeff Pape from the Iowa Farm Bureau, Jay Lynch from the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Jim Andrew from the Iowa Soybean Association, Pat Daufeldt from the Iowa Turkey Federation, and Dave Moody from the Iowa Pork Producers Association.