Harringtons receive 2022 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader award

The 2022 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards were presented at the 2022 Iowa State Fair on Aug. 17, 2022. Forty farm awards were presented. Opening remarks and presentations of awards were given by Gov. Kim Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, and DNR Director Kayla Lyon.

Recognized and representing Keokuk County for 2022 were Roger and Carol Ann Harrington. They farm near Ollie in which they raise corn, soybeans, cover crops, CRP and livestock until recently.

Roger and Carol Ann received the 1993 Region 9 Iowa Soil Conservation award, 1993 Keokuk County District Outstanding Owner-Operator Conservation award, the 1999 Century Conservation Farm Family award, and was recognized as a Century and Heritage (150) farm in 2000. They installed their first tile outlet terraces in 1983 and has installed over 13,000 feet of tile outlet terraces along with two grade stabilization structure, has been no-tilling since 1980, then started planting cover crops in early 2000s.

Roger has served on Church Admin Board, Staff parish Committee and church choir. He also was involved with the National No-Till Conference, National Young Farmers Institute Conference and was a former Township Trustee. Carol Ann taught junior high math 32 years before retiring, is involved with church choir, church women’s group, Delta-Kappa Gamma member, ISA and NEA member.

Roger may be the neighbor that others like to talk about, but Roger is also the neighbor that they want to talk to. Roger is happy to share his experiences with others on making cover crops work, what to plant and how to deal with them in the spring. Harrington’s continue to improve the soil health on the farms and is to be commended for his great soil and water conservation ethics and dedication to the environment.