Dick Lyons was recently named as the 2024 recipient of the Leopold Conservation Award. This award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in the management of soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land.

Dick has been actively engaged in PCM since the program became available in his region eight years ago, but his engagement in the agricultural community dates back more than five decades.

“I have worked closely with Mr. Lyons over the past year as his Conservation Specialist through Precision Conservation Management (PCM),” said PCM Specialist Andrew Hiser. “Dick epitomizes the essence of the Leopold Conservation Award through his exemplary conservation ethic, resilience, leadership, innovation, and dedication to sustainable agriculture.”

Keeping soil in his fields by preventing erosion and keeping the nutrients out of his community’s drinking water is the strong moral code by which Dick farms and lives. In addition to the tried-and-true conservation practices that PCM focuses on – namely, cover crops, nutrient management, and reduced tillage – Mr. Lyons also employs conservation practices that are far less commonly seen on Illinois corn and soybean farms including edge of field practices like filter strips, two-stage ditches, and streambank stabilization methods.

Congratulations to Richard Lyons on receiving this well-deserved honor!