Jim Lake Announced as 2018 Distinguished Service Award Recipient

The Nutrient Stewardship Council is pleased to announce Jim Lake as the recipient of the 2018 Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented to an individual who has provided outstanding service and commitment to the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program.

The award was presented to Lake on Feb. 1 during the Ohio Certified Crop Adviser annual meeting held at the 2018 Ohio AgriBusiness Association Industry Conference in Dublin, Ohio. Carrie-Vollmer Sanders, secretary of the Nutrient Stewardship Council, introduced Lake and presented the award. Lake was accompanied by his wife, Diane.

“Jim was essential in creating and implementing the 4R Program,” said Vollmer-Sanders. “His expertise in conservation practices helped shape the program and he continues to be a guiding presence today.”

Lake was a district support specialist in the northeast area of Indiana. He has been working in conservation for more than 40 years, in which time he dutifully served the Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s Division of Soil Conservation. During this time, Lake also founded the national Conservation Tillage Information Center.

In his many years of driving conservation efforts, Lake has aided nearly every state in the U.S. to create plans for addressing non-point source water pollution. Additionally, Lake has managed the Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District and worked with Purdue University’s agronomy department as a soil and water conservation education specialist. Lake continues to serve the 4R Program as a member of the Advisory Committee.