News

Indiana conservation leaders recognized for protecting soil and water resources at this year’s state fair

Thirty-nine farmers were recognized for their contributions to conservation during the 2026 Indiana State Fair.

Spencer County farmer Larry Groves is one of this year’s River Friendly Farmer Award winners. 

“I was away living in the big city retired and decided to come back to the farm and discovered that the soil just needed to be restored,” he says. “I’ve been improving waterways, field mortars with native plantings, and rock shoots. I no longer have topsoil that’s running off.”

Marc Roberts, IASWCD president, says farmers continue to implement conservation practices to improve water quality across the state. 

“Growing better crops is always my end goal,” he says. “That seems to be the consensus for a lot of folks to improve the soil, hold water, and hold nutrients better. We want to leave it in better shape than we found it.”

Since 1999, the organization has recognized farmers using conservation practices to keep Indiana’s rivers, lakes, and streams clean. 

AUDIO: Larry Groves

AUDIO: Marc Roberts