Board seeks candidates for 2004 Spencer Award

The Leopold Center Advisory Board will be taking nominations for the 2004 Spencer Award for Sustainable Agriculture. This will be the third year for the award.

The Spencer Award honors the beliefs, innovations and stewardship of Norman and Margaretha Spencer, who farmed near Sioux City for 40 years. The 2004 award is open to researchers, educators and farmers who have made significant ecological or economic contributions that secure the future of the family farm in Iowa.

A committee of the advisory board will select the recipient, who will receive the award during the 2004 Iowa State Fair. The award includes a $1,000 cash prize.

Organizations are encouraged to submit nominations. Self-nominations also are accepted. All submissions must be postmarked by March 31, 2004.

For more information, contact Laura Miller at the Leopold Center, or get a copy of the nomination materials on the Leopold Center web site.

ISU honors Jim Penney

Jim Penney, who represents the Agribusiness Association of Iowa on the Leopold Center advisory board, was recently honored by the Iowa State University Alumni Association. Penney received the prestigious Floyd Andre Award, presented each year to an outstanding alumnus. Penney, who holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from ISU, is general manager for the Heart of Iowa Coop. He recently completed a one-year term as chair of the advisory board.