Sermersheim named River-Friendly Farmer at State Fair

In these days of water quality concerns, there are those that are utilizing conservation practices on their farms that are protecting waterways and water quality in Indiana and beyond.

In Dubois County, Roger Sermersheim of Sermersheim Farm is one such farmer among 49 farmers who received the statewide award of ‘River-Friendly Farmer’ at the Indiana State Fair on Farmers’ Day August 15.

This award, hosted by the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (IASWCD), recognizes landowners and farmers in the state of Indiana for the work he does on his land to protect Indiana’s natural resources. The Dubois County Soil and Water Conservation District nominated Sermersheim for the award based upon his farm management practices.

Sermersheim and his wife, Brenda, utilize WASCOB’s, grassed waterways and grassed buffers to keep nutrients and sediment from leaving their property. They have used continuous No-Till with a cover crop system started by his father in 1968. Water is clean and clear when leaving their fields with nutrients and sediment being filtered before it leaves the property. They share their conservation practices and successes in a variety of community groups including their local SWCD, their church, Dubois County FFA Advisory Board and local cemetery board.

The River-Friendly Farmer Award has been presented by the IASWCD and sponsored by the 92 local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc. since 2000.

This year’s group of award winners brings the total number of River-Friendly Farmers in Indiana since the awards beginning to 961