June 27, 2022

(Ankeny, Iowa – June 27, 2022) The Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) would like to congratulate the winners of the 2022 SWCS awards. Awards are presented annually to individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions in advocating and advancing the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources. All winners will be recognized at the SWCS 2022 International Annual Conference Awards Luncheon on August 2, 2022, in Denver, Colorado. Additional information about each recognition can also be found at www.swcs.org/awards.

The Hugh Hammond Bennett Award, the Society’s most prestigious award, recognizes extraordinary accomplishments in the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources. 

The 2022 Hugh Hammond Bennett Award is presented to Ann Sorensen from Washington, DC, for her widely recognized, major contributions to the conservation of natural resources. Sorensen, as senior research advisor for American Farmland Trust, has contributed to the advancement of soil conservation and land protection, both through pioneering research and transformative public policy. She has advanced the science, policy, and implementation of conservation through applied research, innovative pilot projects, farmer engagement, and science-based advocacy. She understands the value of sound research in the public policy process, and her work directly helped shape public policy at a level rare for researchers. Countless researchers have been influenced by her work and passion, and many USDA and Congressional staffers have been persuaded by her data and diplomacy. Sorensen has built upon Norm Berg and Hugh Hammond Bennett’s soil conservation work by linking the land and the soil through farmland protection and soil health. She is a well-deserving recipient of the SWCS Hugh Hammond Bennett Award.

Three Society Fellow Awards are given this year, in recognition of SWCS members who have performed exceptional service in advocating the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources. Fellowship is an honor bestowed upon the best in the conservation profession. This year’s Fellow awardees are

  • J. Arbuckle, Iowa
  • Mark Liebig, North Dakota
  • DeAnn Presley, Kansas

Additional awards presented in 2022 are listed below:

Conservation Innovation Award
In recognition of an outstanding activity, product, or service by a group, business, firm, corporation, or organization that promotes natural resource conservation.

  • Conservation Agriculture Systems Innovation Center, California
  • Navigation-Ecosystem Sustainability Program, Missouri

Harold and Kay Scholl Excellence in Conservation Award
In recognition of individuals who work on the ground to provide direct and personal delivery or conservation planning and technical assistance.

  • David Bedlan, Nebraska

Conservation Professional of the Year Award
In recognition of outstanding accomplishments in practicing and advancing the science and art of natural resource conservation.

  • Steve Tucker, Nebraska

Society Service Award
In recognition of Society members for service to their chapter or to the Society.

  • Arlene Brandt-Jenson, South Dakota
  • Edwin Harms, Nebraska

Chair’s Leadership Award
In recognition of exemplary assistance in helping to carry out the goals and objectives of the Soil and Water Conservation Society.

  • Naveen Adusumilli, Louisiana
  • Jill Stone, Missouri
  • John Williams, Oregon

Conservation Research Award
In recognition of Society members or teams of members whose research has led to exceptional improvements in soil conservation, water conservation, and/or related natural resources research.

  • Paul DeLaune, Texas
  • Julie Peterson, Nebraska

Best Research Paper for Impact and Quality Award
In recognition for the impact and quality of a research paper published in the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation in the previous five years.

Prokopy, L.S., K. Floress, J.G. Arbuckle, S.P. Church, F.R. Eanes, Y. Gao, B.M. Gramig, P. Ranjan, and A.S. Singh. 2019. Adoption of agricultural conservation practices in the United States: Evidence from 35 years of quantitative literature. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 74(5):520-534. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.74.5.520.

  • Linda Prokopy, Indiana
  • Kristin Floress, Illinois
  • J. Arbuckle, Iowa
  • Sarah Church, Montana
  • Francis R. Eanes, Maine
  • Yuling Gao, California
  • Benjamin Gramig, Illinois
  • Pranay Ranjan, Indiana
  • Ajay S. Singh, California

Best Research Paper for Impact and Quality Honorable Mention
In recognition for the impact and quality of a research paper published in the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation in the previous five years.

Marcillo, G.S., and F.E. Miguez. 2017. Corn yield response to winter cover crops: An updated meta-analysis. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 72(3):226-239. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.72.3.226.

  • Guillermo Marcillo, Texas
  • Fernando Miguez, Iowa

Editor's Choice Award Winner
In recognition of the following article of excellence appearing in the “A” Section of the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation in the previous year.

Spratt, E., J. Jordan, J. Winsten, P. Huff, C. van Schaik, J. Grimsbo Jewett, M. Filbert, J. Luhman, E. Meier, and L. Paine. 2021. Accelerating regenerative grazing to tackle farm, environmental, and societal challenges in the upper Midwest. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 76(1):15A-23A. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.2021.1209A.

  • Elisabeth Spratt, Missouri
  • Jane Jordan, Illinois
  • Jon Winsten, Vermont
  • Pete Huff, Wisconsin
  • Caroline van Schaik, Minnesota
  • Jane Grimsbo Jewett, Minnesota
  • Meghan Filbert, Iowa
  • Jared Luhman, Minnesota
  • Erin Meier, Minnesota
  • Laura Paine, Wisconsin

Editor's Choice Honorable Mention
In recognition of the following article of excellence appearing in the “A” Section of the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation in the previous year.

Amonette, J.E., H. Blanco-Canqui, C. Hassebrook, D.A. Laird, R. Lal, J. Lehmann, and D. Page-Dumroese. 2021. Integrated biochar research: A roadmap. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 76(1):24A-29A. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.2021.1115A.

  • James Amonette, Washington
  • Humberto Blanco-Canqui, Nebraska
  • Chuck Hassebrook, Nebraska
  • David A. Laird, Iowa
  • Rattan Lal, Ohio
  • Johannes Lehmann, New York
  • Deborah Page-Dumroese, Idaho

Associate Editor Excellence Award
In recognition of associate editors for their contributions to the success and development of the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation.

  • Margaret Gitau, Indiana, United States
  • Gergely Jakab, Budapest, Hungary
  • Lisa Lobry de Bruyn, New South Wales, Australia

Chapter Achievement Award
In recognition of chapters for significant achievements through a single activity conducted during the year.

  • Colorado Chapter
  • Empire Chapter
  • Hoosier Chapter 
  • Montana Chapter
  • Virginia Chapter 

Outstanding Chapter Award
In recognition for the chapter’s success in carrying out its overall program during the past year.

  • California Nevada Chapter
  • Firman E. Bear Chapter
  • Iowa Chapter
  • Michigan Chapter
  • Nebraska Chapter
  • South Dakota Chapter    
  • Southern New England Chapter

Donald A. Williams Scholarship 
Provides financial assistance to members of SWCS who are currently employed, but who wish to improve their technical or administrative competence in a conservation-related field through course work at an accredited college or through a program of special study.

  • Christopher Burch, Pennsylvania 

WiN Conservationist of the Year Award
The Conservationist of the Year Award is designed to recognize an outstanding woman farmer/producer/conservationist and demonstrates a vital role in supporting women in agriculture and conservation.

  • Tracy Rosenberg, South Dakota

WiN Past President Award
In recognition and commendation of WiN’s Past President for the outstanding contributions made throughout the four-year WiN President track, encompassing a wide array of activities and responsibilities.

  • Heather Medina Sauceda, Oregon

WiN Individual Award of Excellence Recipient
The Individual Award of Excellence is designed to recognize an individual who, over a period of-time, has contributed substantially and creatively to our natural resources conservation profession. The recipient should exemplify excellence in a particular discipline and, possibly, multidiscipline efforts that promote excellence and creativity. The recipient should also demonstrate involvement in WiN.

  • Kathy Ferge, Oregon

WiN Group Award of Excellence Recipient
The Group Award of Excellence is designed to recognize a group who, over a period of-time, has contributed substantially and creatively to our natural resources conservation profession. The group should exemplify excellence in a particular discipline and, possibly, multidiscipline efforts that promote excellence and creativity.

  • Jenny Templeton and Allison Hammer, Virginia for the training, “Handling Uncomfortable Situations—Personal Safety for Field Staff” 

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About SWCS
For seventy-seven years, the Soil and Water Conservation Society has been the premier international organization for professionals who practice and advance the science and art of natural resource conservation. We believe sustainable land and water management is essential to the continued security of the earth and its people. Our goal is to cultivate an organization of informed, dynamic individuals whose contributions create a bright future for agriculture, the environment, and society. The Soil and Water Conservation Society is headquartered in Ankeny, Iowa, with chapters across the United States and Canada.
 

For More Information:

Contact us at awards@swcs.org

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