Any ASA member who actively farms, including an individual farmer or farm family, is eligible to receive the Conservation Legacy Award. One ASA member actively engaged in soybean production will be selected from each of the following four regions: Western, Southern, Midwestern and Northeastern. One national winner will be selected from the regional winners, based on the nomination form and on-farm visits to each regional winner’s farm.
"The Conservation Legacy Awards are an excellent way to communicate what the U.S. farmer is doing to conserve land and promote natural resources stewardship," says Ron Heck, ASA president. "The program allows us to show the non-farming public just how concerned we are, and how progressive modern farming has become. We are proud to be a part of the Conservation Legacy Awards."
Producers interested in receiving the award must complete an application form. Application forms are being mailed to ASA members. Forms are also available by calling 800-688-7692 or on ASA’s website, http://www.SoyGrowers.com (under "Activities," click on Conservation Legacy Award). A national selection committee composed of soybean farmers, environmentalists, soybean industry representatives, and government officials will judge applications. Award winners will be selected based upon a combination of environmental criteria.
All four regional winners and a spouse/guest will receive a trip to Commodity Classic, the annual joint convention of the American Soybean Association and National Corn Growers Association, March 2–4, 2004, in Las Vegas, NV. The national winner will also receive a plaque and yard sign and will be featured in a special article in The Corn And Soybean Digest.
Completed applications are due to ASA by October 24, 2003.