Valparaiso farm earns 2025 Red Gold Stewardship Award
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The Indiana State Department of Agriculture and Elwood-based Red Gold have announced the winners of the 2025 Red Gold Stewardship Award.
The award is presented annually to Red Gold growers “who value improving soil health and water quality on their operations.”
Wittmer Farms in Valparaiso received the first-place price. The ISDA said in a news release that the farm—which grows corn, seed corn, seed beans, pumpkins and tomatoes—has placed a strong emphasis on land conservation.
The farm has implemented multiple practices to promote soil health and water quality, the ISDA said, including grass filter strips, grassed waterways, cover crops and drainage water management structures.
“Many of the growers are multi-generational operations and taking care of the land is a top priority for them,” Red Gold Director of Agriculture Curt Utterback said in the release. “They want to ensure that there will be future opportunities for themselves and others. Our growers have a tremendous amount of effort and pride into raising healthy, nutritious food for an ever-growing population, while never losing sight of the land’s needs as well.”
Second place went to Wischmeyer Farms in northwest Ohio. The farm grows corn, soybeans, wheat, and tomatoes, utilizing some of the same techniques as Wittmer Farms.
“Protecting soil health and improving water quality remain top priorities for producers across Indiana and the Midwest,” ISDA Director Don Lamb said in the release. “It’s a privilege to recognize Wittmer Farms and Wischmeyer Farms for their leadership and dedication to environmental stewardship.”
Wittmer Farms received a $1,500 scholarship and an extra load delivery of tomatoes per day. Wischmeyer Farms was awarded a $750 scholarship and an extra half-load delivery of tomatoes.