INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and Red Gold recently announced the winners of the 2026 Red Gold Stewardship Award. Niese Ag LLC of Pandora, Ohio, was selected as the first-place winner, and Myers Sod Farms of Seymour, Indiana, received second place.
This presentation, now in its 18th year, is a partnership between Red Gold and ISDA. The award is presented to Red Gold growers who value improving soil health and water quality on their operations. Red Gold appreciates partnering with ISDA to formally recognize growers’ continuous good efforts with soil and water conservation practices.
“We have had 100% participation in this program for several years,” said Curt Utterback, Director of Agriculture at Red Gold. “Many of the growers are multi-generational operations and taking care of the land is a top priority for them. They want to ensure that there will be future opportunities for themselves and others. Our growers have a tremendous amount of effort and pride in raising healthy, nutritious food for an ever-growing population, while never losing sight of the land’s needs as well. It is an honor to formally recognize this year’s winners: Niese Ag LLC of Pandora, Ohio, secured first place, and Myers Sod Farm LLC of Seymour, Indiana, secured second place.”
Located in northwest Ohio, Derek Niese of Niese Ag LLC has put a strong emphasis on not only growing excellent crops, but also on the conservation of the land they farm. On their family farm, they grow corn, wheat, rye, soybeans, red raspberries, black raspberries, and blackberries. The Niese’s have implemented a multitude of conservation practices to promote soil health and water quality on their farm, such as grass filter strips, grassed waterways, cover crops, reduced tillage, blind inlets, drainage water management structures, small grains, and grade stabilization structures. “Trying to build and preserve the farmland for future generations,” said Derek Niese.
Second place winner, Adam Myers of Myers Sod Farm LLC, is located in southern Indiana and grows corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, sod, and tomatoes. On their farm, they have implemented a variety of stewardship and conservation practices, such as small grains, cover crops, grass filter strips, grassed waterways, water and sediment control basins, vegetative field borders, and blind inlets.
“Practicing conservation is important on our farm. We feel that if we take care of the land, it will take care of us,” said Adam Myers.
“Farmers lead the way in protecting our land and water, and this award reflects the hard work happening on farms across our state every day,” said Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith. “Congratulations to Niese Ag LLC and Indiana’s own Myers Sod Farm LLC.”
The Midwest is leading the pack in soil conservation efforts. Specifically in the Hoosier state, farmers utilize a variety of soil conservation practices and planted more than 1.5 million acres of cover crops in 2025.
“Our farmers continue to set the gold standard for their commitment to conservation, and ISDA’s partnership through the Red Gold Stewardship Award exemplifies that very standard,” said Don Lamb, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “The care our growers and producers devote day in and day out, is often taught across generations, serving each and every one of us for years to come. Congratulations to the Niese and Myers family for your continued stewardship.”
As the top winner, Niese Ag LLC received a $1500 scholarship, as well as one extra load delivery of tomatoes per day. Myers Sod Farm LLC was awarded a $750 scholarship and an extra ½ load delivery of tomatoes per day.
To see photos of the 2026 Red Gold Stewardship awardees, click here.
