Des Moines – Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) are honored to receive the Iowa Agriculture Leader Award for Leadership in Conservation from the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship. This recognition is given annually to organizations who are committed to protecting Iowa’s land, wildlife and water for future generations.
The award was presented alongside several others during the 13th annual Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner, and was accepted by PF & QF’s Iowa state coordinator, Joshua Divan. Brooke Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, was the featured speaker for Monday evening’s program.
“We’re grateful to be recognized for our team’s work in helping Iowa’s farmers, ranchers, and farmland owners meet their conservation goals,” Divan said. “Protecting the soil, water and wildlife resources on Iowa’s private lands with voluntary conservation practices is not only important to today’s farmers, it’s also critically important to our state economy, our rural communities and future generations who want to live, work and explore in Iowa.
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have been dedicated to working with numerous landowners, partners and agencies to conserve upland habitat on public and private lands since 1982. These efforts improve habitat for many wildlife species such as pheasants and quail, support rural economies and businesses, and increase hunting opportunities for sportsmen and women.
Through a strong partnership with the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship (IDALS), the Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS), the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), and other local support, PF & QF drastically increased its work with farmers and landowners in Iowa starting in 2009.
“Every year, hundreds of Iowans from every corner of the state gather for the Ag Leaders Dinner to recognize outstanding contributions made by businesses, organizations, and individuals,” said Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig. “This year’s awardees, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Nationwide Agribusiness, Pheasants Forever, and the Iowa Association for Agricultural Advancement, have all made significant positive impacts to the ongoing success of Iowa agriculture and our rural communities. These awardees play an integral role in developing young leaders and ensuring that Iowa remains an agricultural productivity powerhouse that drives our economy forward.”
In 2024 alone, PF & QF team members delivered almost 3,000 customer consultations, providing technical assistance across 47,097 acres in the state. This includes conservation planning and habitat recommendations designed to meet the goals of farmer and landowner customers, ensuring their operations are profitable and their concerns for soil, water and wildlife are addressed.
About Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever make up the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. This community of more than 480,000 members, supporters and partners is dedicated to the protection of our uplands through habitat improvement, public access, education and advocacy. A network of 754 local chapters spread across North America determine how 100 percent of their locally raised funds are spent — the only national conservation organization that operates through this grassroots structure. Since its creation in 1982, the organization has dedicated more than $1 billion to 580,000 habitat projects benefiting 28.8 million acres.
Back row (left to right): Nick Thompson, Cole Anderson, Mike Naig (Iowa Secretary of Agriculture), Eran Sandquist, Dan Borchardt, Jack Wahl
Front row (left to right): Stephanie Nelson, Clarissa Bruns, Allie Barth, Josh Divan, Brynn Hogue
