Montgomery County’s Doug and Deb Maher receive environmental leader award

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, and Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon recently recognized 40 Iowa farm families with Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards at the Iowa State Fair.
Doug and Deb Maher from Montgomery County were one of the recognized families.
The award acknowledges farmers who take voluntary actions to improve and protect our state’s natural resources while serving as leaders in their farming communities.


These farm families use scientifically proven practices like cover crops, wetlands, bioreactors, and saturated buffers that support the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The recipients recognize the benefits of conservation practices extend beyond their fields to residents downstream, and their leadership encourages others to adopt similar conservation practices.


“Iowa farmers have always led on conservation and land stewardship, and continue to do so with more momentum than ever,” said Gov. Reynolds. “We are proud to recognize the recipients of the 2022 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards who have shown great leadership in sustainably feeding and fueling our world, protecting our water and land resources, and supporting the next generation of farm families.”


“Achieving the goals that are outlined in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy to improve soil health and water quality requires people, partnerships, and resources,” added Secretary Naig. “We are proud to recognize these Iowa farm families. They are leaders in their communities and are making long-term investments in conservation that will benefit generations to come.”


“We take great pride in recognizing these leaders in our farming communities throughout our state that put sound conservation practices on the forefront of their operations,” said Director Lyon. “It’s now more important than ever that we focus on protecting and enhancing our natural resources—especially our lands and waters.”

More than 690 Iowa farm families have been recognized since the creation of the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award in 2012.
Jerry Laughlin of Fremont County and Meier Family Farms of Page County also received the award locally.

The Red Oak Express

2012 Commerce Drive
P.O. Box 377
Red Oak, IA 51566
Phone: 712-623-2566 Fax: 712-623-2568

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