Laura Krouse, a farmer and
biology instructor from Linn County, will be honored as
the recipient of the 2007 Spencer Award for Sustainable
Agriculture.
Krouse owns and operates a 72-acre farm near Mount
Vernon, where she teaches full-time at Cornell College.
She also is the proprietor of a 104-year-old
open-pollinated seed corn business and Abbe Hills
Garden, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
enterprise.
Krouse is the first small-market farmer to receive the
award, established in 2002 to honor farmers, educators
or researchers who have made a significant contribution
toward the stability of mainstream family farms in Iowa.
“This small farm offers enormous diversity, including a
restored wetland and constructed pond used for crop
irrigation,” said Leopold Center Director Jerry DeWitt,
who administers the Spencer Award.
“Although CSAs do not represent a large part of
agriculture at this time, they offer a viable
alternative and help build awareness for local foods,
which Laura has done through education in the classroom
and among her neighbors both on and off the farm.”
DeWitt said the selection committee was impressed with
her participation in research. In 2002, she partnered
with ISU horticulture and agronomy professor Kathleen
Delate on pest management trials for squash and heirloom
vegetables destined for the organic baby food market.
Krouse also is a member of Practical Farmers of Iowa and
hosts field days.
Active in the Linn County Soil and Water Conservation
District, Krouse often speaks to groups and has appeared
on Iowa Public Television and the “Now with Bill Moyers”
program to promote sustainable agriculture.
Krouse will receive the award January 11 during the
annual PFI conference.