Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Fairfield dairy couple to receive 2009 Spencer Award

Back to Leopold Letter Fall 2009

The owners of a Jefferson County organic dairy farm and on-farm processing plant are the 2009 recipients of the annual Spencer Award for Sustainable Agriculture. Francis and Susan Thicke, who own and operate Radiance Dairy near Fairfield, will receive the honor December 5 at the 2009 Iowa Organic Conference in Ames.

The Thickes manage 236 acres where 60 paddocks are used to feed their herd of 80 Jersey milk cows. The herd is rotationally grazed, moving to a new paddock twice daily. In their on-farm processing plant, they produce skim, lowfat and whole milk, as well as yogurt and cheese, all of which is sold locally.

Until they bought the farm in 1996, the land was used for corn and soybean production. They have installed a solar-powered system to supply water from a pond to each paddock. The pond also has a geothermally-heated water tank for use in the winter.

The Thickes will be the sixth recipients of the Spencer Award, established in 2002 to honor farmers, educators or researchers who have made a significant contribution toward the stability of mainstream family farms in the state. The award includes a $1,000 stipend and is one of Iowa's largest awards in sustainable agriculture.

Elisabet Humble, local foods coordinator for Hometown Harvest of Southeast Iowa, nominated the Thickes for the award, noting that their farm has been the site of many tours. “The knowledge Francis brings to visitors on his farm helps them understand the importance of sustainable agriculture and how it works with ecology,” Humble said. “I consider him one of the greater assets to our community … very passionate in his efforts to create sustainability in our food systems.”

Back to Leopold Letter Fall 2009