During the 24th National No-Tillage Conference, Syngenta and No-Till Farmer magazine are proud to honor the 2015 No-Till Innovators.

The No-Till Innovator Award honors farmers, researchers, organizations and others who have identified ways to no-till more effectively, more economically and with better impact on the environment. Each has made important contributions to the conservation movement and was chosen based on dedication to the advancement of no-till farming, regardless of the type of crop grown and equipment, seed, seed treatment or crop protection products used.

The 2015 No-Till Innovator Awards

David BrandtCrop Production

David Brandt has proudly owned and operated his no-till farm in Ohio for 45 years, which includes 985 acres of corn, soybean and winter wheat, plus a variety of cover crops. He first became interested in no-till in 1971 when he was looking for a management practice that required less labor and less investment. He was also concerned about soil loss and soon discovered no-till. Since then, Brandt’s farm has been 100 percent no-till. Every year, Brandt learns something new and different from his no-till experiences.

Phil Needham, Needham Ag Technologies, LLCBusiness and Service

Phil Needhman, founder and owner of Needham Ag Technologies, LLC in Kentucky, was initially brought to the U.S. from England to help wheat producers. He worked within a team of agronomists who introduced and expanded a European wheat management system, which quickly made a big impact on yields and profits. Needham started Needham Ag Technologies, LLC in 2006 and he now works directly with farmers and dealers, helping them refine their agronomy techniques and expand the use of no-till technologies and cover crops.

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The following committee selected the 2015 No-Till Innovators:

Darrell Bruggink Editor No-Till Farmer magazine

Tom Kelley Agronomic Service Representative Syngenta

Daryl Starr Advanced Ag Solutions Lafayette, Indiana

Terry Taylor Terry N. Taylor Farm Geff, Illinois

Dr. Lloyd MurdockResearch and Education

Dr. Lloyd Murdock is an Extension Soils Specialist at the University of Kentucky. His research includes no-tillage on wheat, corn and soybeans, soil compaction and its correction and prevention, soil fertility and micronutrients and their placement, and remote sensing for fertilization and soil productivity. Dr. Murdock provides statewide leadership to support Extension activities for soil fertility, fertilization and liming as well as soil quality including soil structure, soil compaction and soil productive. He has received several awards and honors in the no-till industry.

Conservation Cropping System InitiativeOrganization

Conservation Cropping System Initiative (CCSI) started in 2009 with funding from the USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Indiana State Soil Conservation Board, and is administrated by the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. CCSI is a partnership between several organizations in Indiana with the goal to improve soil health and soil productivity. CCSI recruits and utilizes top Indiana no-till and cover crop farmers as part of their outreach arm and technical technology exchange. They have taken over 1,200 samples in replicated strip trials with over 148 strips and conducted over 45 educational events with audiences totaling over 2,634 farmers and agriculture professionals.