Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Past Recipients of the Spencer Award

Jan Libbey and Tim Landgraf with Mark Rasmussen and Laura Jackson

2013: Jan Libbey and Tim Landgraf

Northern Iowa CSA growers Jan Libbey and Tim Landgraf received the award January 11, 2013, during annual conference activities of Practical Farmers of Iowa. Leopold Center advisory board member Laura Jackson (right) presented the award, along with Leopold Center director Mark Rasmussen (on left).
2011 awardees and presenters

2011: Bernard Havlovic and Michael Natvig

Research farm superintendent Bernie Havlovic (front, center) and fifth-generation farmer Michael Natvig (back, right) share the award. They join advisory board members Laura Jackson and Joe Colletti (front, left), who presented the respective awards at the board's March 1 meeting, and interim director Mark Honeyman (back left).

2010 spencer award

2010: Vic and Cindy Madsen

The Madsens have farmed near Audubon for more than 30 years, pose for a photo with Leopold Center advisory board member Susan Jutz.

2009 spencer award

2009: Francis and Susan Thicke

Francis and Susan Thicke, whose Radiance Farm organic dairy products are marketed in Jefferson County, receive the award from Leopold Center advisory board member Jennifer Steffen.

2008 Spencer Award

2008: Steve Reinart

Steven Reinart owns a grass-fed organic beef and seedstock operation near Glidden, where he relies entirely on grazing and forages for his cattle’s nourishment. Russ Brandes presented the award.

2007 Spencer Award

2007: Laura Krouse

Laura Krouse owns and operates a 72-acre farm in Linn County near Mount Vernon, teaches biology full-time at Cornell College, and runs a Community Supported Agriculture enterprise. She is shown with Laura Jackson (left) and Susan Jutz (right).
2006 Spencer Award

2006: The Rosmann Family

Ron Rosmann and Maria Vakulska Rosmann and their sons David, Daniel and Mark operate a 600-acre, diversified organic farm near Harlan in Shelby County. They have been leaders in sustainable agriculture at state, regional and national levels. The family poses in the photo with Jerry DeWitt.
2005 Spencer award

2005: Jerry DeWitt

Jerry DeWitt is an Iowa State University professor whose 30-year commitment to sustainable agriculture ranges from the science of pest management to the art of photography to the administrative wisdom to encourage ISU to establish the nation's first tenured organic agriculture faculty position. He is shown with on the right with Elaine and Bob Spencer.
2004 spencer award

2004: Dick and Sharon Thompson

Dick and Sharon Thompson (center) pose with Leopold Center Associate Director Mike Duffy (left) and Advisory Board Chair Marvin Shirley (right). The Thompsons own and operate a 300-acre diverse crop and livestock farm in eastern Boone County. In 1985, they were instrumental in forming Practical Farmers of Iowa.
2003 Spencer award

 

2003: David, Diane and Dresden Petty

The Pettys own and operate the Iowa River Ranch along the Iowa River in Hardin County.
2002 Spencer award

 

2002: David and Amy Petersen

The Petersons own and operate a dairy farm near Blue Grass, Iowa. They pose for a photo with Bob Spencer, Mike Duffy, Jim Penney, and their two children, Dana and Nolan.