Dick & Sharon Thompson Kudo
CSAS001@unlvm.unl.edu
Mon, 12 Feb 96 11:10:39 CST
Dick and Sharon Thompson have been named "Iowa Farm Leaders of
the Year" by the Des Moines Register (Sunday 11 February 1996).
The Thompsons farm 300 acres near Boone, in central Iowa, and for
the past thirty years have researched, learned, taught and
practiced alternative agriculture techniques. It is significant
that these leaders in sustainable agriculture have been granted
this distinction, awarded annually by the newspaper's editorial
board, because it legitimizes the importance of alternative
agriculture in the mainstream of an agricultural state. Past
winners of the award include a Farm Bureau president and leaders
of farm commodity groups. The Thompsons are recognized not only
for their contributions to our knowledge about various
alternative agriculture techniques, but for being tactful but
effective promoters of their ideas to a broad audience of
visitors to their farm and others who have attended their
seminars around the world. The Thompsons are co-founders of the
Practical Farmers of Iowa, and have done on-farm research
independently and in association with the Rodale Institute since
abandoning traditional farming techniques in the late 60s. Other
awards received by the Thompsons include the Boone County
Outstanding Farm Family (Boone Kiwanis, 1986), the District
Winner of the Iowa Soil Conservation Program (1985), and the
Sierra Club Steward of the Land (Iowa Chapter, 1985).
Pam Murray, Coordinator
Center for Sustainable Agricultural Systems
and Center for Grassland Studies
U. of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE 68583-0949
V: 402-472-2056 F: -4104