WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Plymouth County farmers Ben and Janelle Johnson received the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation's 2015 Young Farmer Achievement Award during the organization's recent annual meeting.
The contest honors young farmers who show outstanding management ability in their operations and involvement in Farm Bureau and community activities. Ben and Anna Bader, of Black Hawk County, finished runner-up, and Chris and Jill Ten Napel, of Sioux County, earned third place.
The Johnsons are fifth-generation farmers near Ireton and grow corn and soybeans and have a hog operation.
The Johnsons have long been committed to conservation, which Ben attributes to his grandfather who is dedicated to protecting soil health and reducing soil disturbance.
"On our farm, we try to do as many conservation practices as we can," Johnson said. "We have riparian buffers, use no till and minimum till on our corn acres, and maintain grassed waterways and terraces to reduce runoff into local streams and waterways."
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For their award, Ben and Janelle received their choice of the use of a John Deere tractor/loader combo (5-7R Series) for one year or 300-hour lease or a TX Gator. The Johnsons also will receive expense-paid trips to the 2016 American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention in Orlando, and the 2016 GROWMARK annual meeting in Chicago.
Ben and Anna Bader farm near Jesup growing corn and soybeans and raising hogs.
The Baders received a Parts on Site Bin (valued at $3,000) and a $500 Fast Stop gift certificate from GROWMARK.
Third-place finishers Chris and Jill Ten Napel farm near Ireton and in addition to growing soybeans and having a hog nursery, the Ten Napels also own a trucking business
The Ten Napels received a John Deere branded safe, a $1,000 Grainger gift certificate and an iPod unit courtesy of Farm Bureau Financial Services.
