Mount Vernon Farmer Laura Krouse Honored with PFI’s 2026 Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award
Award recognizes agricultural leaders creating vibrant communities, healthy food and diverse farms
Contact: Elizabeth Wilhelm | Senior Media Relations Coordinator | (515) 232-5661 | elizabeth.wilhelm@practicalfarmers.org
AMES, Iowa (Dec. 18, 2025) — Laura Krouse, owner of Abbe Hills Farm in Mount Vernon, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award from Practical Farmers of Iowa.
The award recognizes individuals or couples who have shown exemplary commitment to sustainable agriculture, generously shared their knowledge, and have been influential in efforts to foster vibrant communities, diverse farms and healthy food.
“Laura is a true pioneer of Iowa’s local foods movement,” says Sally Worley, PFI’s executive director. “For more than 30 years, she has poured her energy into feeding her community with fresh, nutritious food while showing what thoughtful, sustainable farming can look like. We are honored to recognize Laura’s work with the 2026 Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award.”
Laura will receive the award at 8:15 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Iowa Events Center during PFI’s 2026 Annual Conference in Des Moines. More information and registration details are available at practicalfarmers.org/2026-annual-conference.
Feeding Iowa for Over 30 Years
Since 1988, Laura has grown vegetables, corn, hay, soybeans and chickens on Abbe Hills Farm. She founded one of the state’s first four community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs and has prepared an estimated 57,600 CSA shares, all filled with produce she planted, grew, harvested, washed and packed.
Beyond her CSA, Laura has collaborated with local restaurants, retirement homes and food hubs, and has occasionally participated in farmers markets.
“Growing food is fun,” Laura says. “It’s an honor to grow food people like to eat and that I know is good for them.”
Laura earned degrees in agronomy and farm management from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in agronomy focused on subsistence farming from the University of Florida. Yet, she credits much of her success to her community.
“Everything I know, I’ve learned from connections I’ve made through PFI,” she says. “I just feel so lucky to know people who can figure things out, look at things differently and try something new.”
Laura has been a consistent leader within Practical Farmers of Iowa and her greater community. Through mentoring beginning farmers, hosting on-farm events, writing about sustainable agriculture, and advocating for stronger local food systems, she has helped shape and advance agriculture across Iowa and beyond.
Never one to call herself a pioneer, Laura has been instrumental in launching Iowa’s local food movement. “I just want people to be able to have access to really good food,” she says. “Everybody, no matter their income, ought to be able to eat well, and food ought not be an issue.”
For more information about the Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award or to see previous recipients, visit practicalfarmers.org/sustainable-agriculture-achievement-award.
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About Practical Farmers: Practical Farmers of Iowa is a nonprofit with more than 9,000 members that equips farmers to build resilient farms and communities. We create learning opportunities via farmer-led events, on-farm research and educational content through our robust network of farmers. We also provide funding and technical assistance to help farmers adopt regenerative farming practices and grow farm businesses. Our vision is an Iowa with healthy soil, healthy food, clean air, clean water, resilient farms and vibrant communities. To learn more, visit http://practicalfarmers.org.