URBANDALE, Iowa - James O. (Jim) Andrew of Jefferson, Iowa, was selected as the winner of the 2007 National Conservation Legacy Award Friday, March 2, in Tampa, FL. He was named the Midwest regional winner in January.

Andrew operates Andrew Farms, Inc., a soybean and corn farm near Jefferson, Iowa. He is also an at large director for the Iowa Soybean Association.

“I am extremely honored to be selected the national winner,” says Andrew. “But I certainly didn’t do this single handedly. My father set quite a pace to keep up with after he retired, and we’ve had a lot of fun working together on our conservation practices.”

Conservation has always been a top priority in this multi-generational family farm business. Jim and his father installed tile drainage and constructed terraces to prevent erosion. A dike protects a prominent creek from sediment from their farm fields, and ponds and treed areas help catch and control sediment and runoff water.

In 1993, they sold their tillage equipment and switched to a total no-till operation. Their conservation program includes protected grass strips to help control erosion and provide wildlife habitat. Grassed field borders provide additional erosion protection and give them a place to park trucks and equipment during field operations and harvest.

“While implementing our conservation plans over the last 40 years, my father and I took great personal satisfaction in what we were doing to preserve our soil, water and wildlife,” says Andrew.

In 2005, Andrew Farms, Inc., was awarded a Tier 3 Conservation Security Program (CSP) contract from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the first Iowa Farm to qualify for CSP at this level.

“I don’t do this to win awards, but it certainly is nice to be acknowledged,” Andrew says. “I hope this will add to my credibility when working on conservation legislation in both Des Moines and Washington. I want to assist other farmers who want to practice conservation on their own farms.”

The Conservation Legacy Awards recognize the outstanding environmental and conservation achievements of U.S. soybean farmers who understand the responsibility of protecting the land, one of our most precious natural resources, and are dedicated to enhancing the quality of the land entrusted to them.

This award honors those who rise to this calling and distinguish themselves by taking care of the environment while still reaping economic returns from their farms.

Each of the four regional winners and their spouse or a guest received an expense-paid trip to Commodity Classic, held last week in Tampa, Florida. They were also recognized at the ASA Awards Banquet at Classic and were featured in an issue of The Corn And Soybean Digest magazine.

Andrew received a plaque and yard sign in recognition of this honor.

The Conservation Legacy Award program is sponsored by the American Soybean Association (ASA), Monsanto and The Corn And Soybean Digest.