WI Land+Water is pleased to announce Roger Bindl of RB Farms in Sauk County as the recipient of the WI Land+Water’s 2025 Conservation Farm Family of the Year Award.
This annual award recognizes Wisconsin landowners who demonstrate outstanding achievements in incorporating conservation practices into their farming operations for the betterment of their land, water, and communities.
RB Farms in Sauk County is a testament to Roger’s dedication to maximizing soil health and protecting natural resources. He farms 289 acres and rotationally grazes 45 cow-calf pairs. From the start of his solo farming operation in 2010, renting his grandfather’s farm, Roger placed the acreage in no-till. Shortly after, he began incorporating cover crops into his rotation of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and forages for his grazing herd.
“We were pleased to nominate Roger for this award,” said Melissa Schlupp, Deputy Director for the Sauk County Land Resources & Environment Department. “For Roger, farming is both an art and a science. He thrives on experimenting with his fields and figuring out what’s going to work best to achieve his goal of maximum soil protection.”
The Honey Creek Watershed runs through his farm, making it a natural decision for Roger to implement conservation practices to benefit the watershed and build resilient, healthy soil. His father, Wayne “Buzz” Bindl, started no-tilling in the 1980s, instilling an early understanding of its benefits, especially on the farm's erosion-prone landscape.
Throughout the years, Roger has proven to be a passionate conservation advocate and community leader. His efforts were instrumental in founding the area's producer-led watershed group, the Sauk Soil and Water Improvement Group (SSWIG), where he serves as President and lead farmer. Dedicated producers like Roger have helped make SSWIG one of Wisconsin's more active producer-led watershed groups, facilitating the adoption of conservation practices among farmers.
As SSWIG's lead farmer, Roger has been involved in events and projects every step of the way, enthusiastically advocating for soil and water health. His hands-on involvement in grant writing, cost-share programs, and peer-to-peer education has made a lasting impact locally and across the state. Roger regularly hosts pasture walks, field days, and workshops, sharing his experiences with no-till farming, rotational grazing, and cover crop trials. In 2024 alone, he organized multiple events, including a farm tour for elected officials to highlight the importance of conservation support.
"Even before his award nomination, we knew that Roger was a driving force for conservation education and outreach," said Matt Krueger, Executive Director of WI Land+Water. “We’re excited to share the story of how Roger not only builds resilient landscapes but also builds a sense of community and connection.”
WI Land+Water will feature RB Farms in a professionally produced short film later this summer. This video will showcase the farm, highlight Roger’s conservation practices, and share his unique story to inspire and educate others about conservation in action.
