KINSELLA RECOGNIZED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Nov 22, 2011  |  ICGA

For Immediate Release                    Contact: Lindsay Mitchell

                                                                       309-557-3257

                                                                 

Bloomington, IL – Jim Kinsella, Lexington, IL farmer, is the recipient of the Illinois Corn Growers Association’s (ICGA) 2011 Environmental Award. The award recognizes individuals who exhibit commitment to conservation and environmental preservation.

“Jim’s dedication to the prevention of soil erosion in the state of Illinois is to be commended,” said Jim Reed, ICGA President.  “We honor him with this environmental award today to be certain that his efforts educating Illinois farmers about no-till and strip-till management practices have not gone unnoticed and that he understands our appreciation for his efforts.”

Kinsella utilized some trial and error as he returned home from college to farm with his dad and brought the no-till practice with him.  Though the soybeans performed well, the corn in the tracks of the anhydrous tanks grew higher and were more successful than those in the rest of the field.  From this observation, Kinsella’s strip-till was born.

After perfecting the practice, Kinsella began to notice the interest of other neighboring farmers and taught them what he was learning.  He took the initiative to offer a workshop on his own farm and educate other farmers about no-till and strip-till practices to preserve the soil.  To date, Kinsella estimates that about 90,000 farmers have come to his workshops.

Today, he continues to farm with his wife and family in Lexington, IL, using both strip-till and no-till methods to minimize soil erosion.

Kinsella holds a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and a master’s degree in soil science. 

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