Ivan Dozier, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service’s State Conservationist for Illinois, was honored by the Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) at their annual meeting on November 22 for his commitment to helping farmers implement conservation practices and achieve Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy goals.  Dozier was the 2nd recipient of the Mike Plumer Environmental Excellence Award this year along side Richard Lyons.

Dozier has served in this role since April 2012. He oversees USDA NRCS programs like Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) in Illinois.  

“Illinois farmers are appreciative of Ivan Dozier’s work at NRCS,” said Marty Marr, ICGA President and farmer from New Berlin. “NRCS programs are important to our environmental conservation efforts on the farm, and we would be much less successful without the partnership of federal and state programs that eliminate some of the risk of implementation. Ivan has been a valuable partner, listening to what can work on the farm and helping farmers increase conservation adoption in Illinois.”

Dozier received a B.S. in Agriculture from the University of Illinois and an M.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Illinois – Springfield. He began his career with what was then the Soil Conservation Service, and later became the NRCS in 1984. Throughout his tenure, Dozier served as County Soil Scientist, Soil Conservationist, District Conservationist, American Indian Liaison and Assistant State Conservationist for Programs. Dozier has also been asked to serve in several positions to support agency needs in Washington, DC, as an Acting State Conservationist in other states, and as Chair of many strategy teams, taskforce groups, and other mission-critical leadership roles.

This is the 2nd year for the Mike Plumer award.  Originally called the Environmental Action Award, it was changed in 2021 to honor Mike Plumer.  Plumer served as an ex officio member of the IL Corn Growers Association Board from 1991 to 2010. Even after his retirement, he continued to work with the ICGA helping farmers understand and implement conservation practices until his death in 2017.
 

Mike served as a University of Illinois Extension Agent for 34 years, in Kankakee County and Williamson County. He was a pioneer in the no-till farming movement and cover crop management of farm acres. He was committed to preservation of the soil, but approached his work with farmers in a quiet, gentle way that understood their family business and way of life.

Pictured above: Marty Marr, ICGA past president and Ivan Dozier, NRCS State Conservationist