INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing recently announced Mainstay Farming Partnership, located in Kewanna, Indiana, and Breisch Farms LLC, located in Greentown, Indiana, as the winners of the 2026 Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing Stewardship Award.
In its second year, the Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing Stewardship Award is a partnership between Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing and ISDA. The cash prize award is presented to Weaver Popcorn growers who have committed to improving soil health and water quality on their operations. Mainstay Farming Partnership received $20,000 for first place, and Breisch Farms received $10,000 for second place.
“Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing is pleased to continue our partnership with the Indiana State Department of Agriculture for the second year of the Stewardship Award program. This program provides a meaningful opportunity to recognize the commitment of our growers to soil and water conservation and responsible stewardship of the land,” said Jeff Sheedy, Manager of Agriculture for Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing. “Our growers take great pride in producing the highest-quality popcorn while maintaining a strong commitment to the long-term health and productivity of the land they farm. Through the adoption of sustainable farming practices, many of our growers have been able to produce popcorn on the same ground for multiple generations. We are grateful to all of our participating growers for their continued dedication to conservation and stewardship. We are honored to recognize Mainstay Farming Partnership from Pulaski County as the first-place recipient and Breisch Farms from Howard County as the second-place recipient of this year’s Stewardship Award, and we congratulate both operations on this well-deserved recognition.”
To be considered for the award, Weaver producers filled out applications describing their conservation and nutrient stewardship practices on their land. This year, there was 70% participation among all Weaver growers. After the application closed, ISDA chose five producers based on the conservation practices implemented. ISDA then visited those five producers and discussed their commitment to stewardship and individual farm stories. From the five finalists, ISDA chose the two recipients of the stewardship award.
“This partnership highlights the importance of public-private partnerships as it relates to conservation from Hoosier producers,” said Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “A part of the mission at ISDA is to be a catalyst for conservation in our state. Many times, the cost to implement those practices can be a barrier for producers. That is why ISDA is excited to partner with businesses like Weaver to help incentivize producers to implement best conservation practices.”
Along with growing popcorn, Mainstay Farming Partnership produces non-GMO corn, soybeans, soft red winter wheat, organic popcorn, organic wheat, and organic cereal rye. Conservation practices implemented on the farm include reduced tillage and no-till throughout the operation, grassed waterways, cover crops, water and sediment control basins, and vegetative field borders.
“It is driven by economics. We are trying to find ways to be more self-reliant and build soil health, soil quality, crop and human health,” said Jess Daily of Mainstay Farming Partnership.
Breisch Farms raises popcorn, non-GMO food-grade corn, non-GMO food-grade soybeans, and soybeans for seed production. Conservation practices found on the farm will include reduced tillage, cover crops, grassed waterways, and grass filter strips.
“It is important to recognize the conservation efforts. The more sustainable we can be, the better off everyone’s food supply will be,” said Kevin Breisch.
The other farms that were considered for the award were Smith Farms from Peru, Indiana, Roush Farms from Van Buren, Indiana, and Allmandinger Farms from Ohio City, Ohio.
The Midwest is a leader in soil conservation efforts. In Indiana, farmers utilize a variety of soil conservation practices and planted more than 1.6 million acres of cover crops in 2025.
Visit isda.in.gov to learn more about the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the work ISDA is doing to address soil conservation.
