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Elwood, IND. (Jan. 18, 2018)- Red Gold is pleased to announce that Harold and Tom Parker of Parker Farms in LaPorte, IN were recognized as the 2017 Red Gold Stewardship and Conservation Award recipients. The award is presented each year to one of Red Gold’s growers who exemplify exceptional stewardship and conservation of their land and natural resources on their entire farming operation.
The Parkers started growing for Red Gold in 2012 and grow roughly 200 acres of tomatoes. “We're excited to award the Parkers for the first time. He is a great representative of Red Gold's commitment to preserving our natural resources in a holistic manner,” said Steve Smith, Director of Agriculture at Red Gold. The Parkers also previously won the Master Growers Award in their first year of growing for Red Gold.
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture partners with Red Gold to receive applications and score each farm on their efforts to enhance sustainability and good farming practices. On-farm visits are then made to the finalists by the ISDA staff and the winners are determined. Chris McDonnall of McDonnall Farms in Delta, OH received the second place award of a $500.00 scholarship given in their honor. The Parkers receive a $1000.00 scholarship award and are naming the five local FFA Soil Judging teams to receive $200.00 each; South Central FFA, Westville FFA, New Prairie FFA, La Porte FFA, John Glenn FFA, as their designated recipients to promote knowledge and good practices in taking care of our most important natural resources, our land and water.