During the 22nd annual National No-Tillage Conference in Springfield, Ill., Syngenta and No-Till Farmer honored the 18th class of No-Till Innovators.

No-till is widely considered an environmentally sound, economical method of crop management, even as it remains a minority tillage practice among farmers. But the number of farmers practicing no-till keeps increasing, due in part to the endeavors of this year’s award winners.

Some 92 million acres of cropland in the U.S. have at least some form of no-till management, and the practice is growing at about 1.5% a year, according to USDA estimates.

Each award recipient has made important contributions to the conservation movement and was chosen based on dedication to the advancement of no-till farming — regardless of the type of crop grown and equipment, seed treatment or crop-protection products used.

The four honorees are:

• Jack Maloney, a no-tiller from Brownsburg, Ind., for crop production

• Jill Clapperton, a soil biologist, for research and education

• Bill Lehmkuhl, planter and tillage consultant, for business and service

• Virginia No-Till Alliance, for organization

“Our goal is to provide growers with products and methods to increase efficiencies in farming and ultimately improve yield and quality, says David Piñon, senior communications lead for Syngenta. “This year’s winners have proven themselves leaders in the effort to increase adoption of sustainable farming methods, and Syngenta is proud to be part of such a valuable program and conference, which consistently protects these important messages to growers.”

Jack Maloney

Brownsburg, Ind., no-tiller Jack Maloney…