During the 21st annual National No-Tillage Conference in Indianapolis, Ind., Syngenta and No-Till Farmer honored the 17th 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:

• Dan DeSutter, a no-tiller from Attica, Ind., for crop production

• Randy Pryor, educator, University of Nebraska Extension, for research and education

• Daryl Starr, Advanced Ag Solutions, crop consultant in Lafayette, Ind., for business and service

• Midwest Cover Crop Council, for no-till 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 projects these important messages to…