Indiana Farmers Win Award for Sustainable Practices
Two Indiana farms earned top honors for their work in improving soil health and regional water quality.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Organic Food
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The Indiana State Department of Agriculture and Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing have named Mainstay Farming Partnership and Breisch Farms LLC as recipients of the 2026 Stewardship Award. This honor recognizes the sustainable farming practices implemented by these Indiana producers to improve soil health and water quality.
Why it matters
Supporting local growers who prioritize conservation is a key factor in improving the environmental footprint of regional food production. These efforts help ensure long-term soil vitality and cleaner water, which are essential components of a healthy agricultural system.
The awards were determined through a state-led evaluation of conservation and nutrient stewardship applications, which included on-site visits to five finalists. Participation reached 70% of all Weaver growers, though the comparative scoring benchmarks remain proprietary.
The players
Indiana State Department of Agriculture
The state agency responsible for overseeing agricultural policy and resource conservation.
Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing
A food processing company that sponsors the annual stewardship award for its growers.
Mainstay Farming Partnership
A Kewanna-based farming operation and recipient of the top $20,000 stewardship prize.
Breisch Farms LLC
A Greentown-based farming operation and recipient of the $10,000 second-place prize.
The details
Recipients were selected for their active integration of conservation methods, such as the use of cover crops, which are critical for preventing erosion and managing nutrient runoff. These practices contribute to broader state-wide efforts, evidenced by the 1.6 million acres of cover crops planted by Indiana farmers in 2025. By focusing on site-specific management, these operations aim to improve the long-term productivity and health of their land.
Timeline
In 2025, Indiana farmers planted 1.6 million acres of cover crops.
The 2026 Stewardship Award winners were announced on October 23, 2026.
Health Landscape
This award is part of a growing focus by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture to standardize conservation across state operations. It mirrors broader national trends in agricultural science that prioritize soil microbiome health as a foundation for sustainable food systems.
While these awards focus on agricultural production, they reflect a wider movement toward transparent and sustainable food sourcing. Consumers interested in these practices may consider looking for regional produce labels or discussing local sourcing options with their grocery retailers.
The takeaway
The recognition of these farms highlights the impact of individual stewardship on regional environmental quality. To better understand the sources of your food, consider researching regional farm-to-table initiatives in your local area.
Further reading
Learn more about local food production practices on the Organic Food section of our site.
More information
View program details on the Indiana State Department of Agriculture website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBIW.
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