Randy Stauffer: Environmental Award Recipient

December 1, 2020
A man is smiling in front of a sign that says environmental award

Randy Stauffer of Morton, IL, was honored by the Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) at their virtual annual meeting on November 24, 2020 for his commitment to farmers and their farming practices as they considered new conservation and sustainability goals. 

 

Stauffer worked for many years as a consultant for ICGA and the Precision Conservation Management project up until the time of his death on June 27, 2020. 

 

Randy’s work and expertise were foundational to the development of IL Corn’s Precision Conservation Management program which, under his guidance, has grown to become one of the most recognized conservation efforts in the Midwest.

Stauffer graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in agriculture and worked for DuPont/Pioneer Seed prior to his retirement. 

 

“Randy Stauffer was an excellent addition to our staff, always thinking of corn farmers and working to preserve the family farm,” said Bill Leigh, President of the Illinois Corn Growers Association and Minonk, IL farmer. “He understood our work and he represented us to large companies like PepsiCo and Bunge who try to bridge the gap between what customers want regarding sustainability and what farmers can offer. More importantly, he was a friend to everyone in our office and a personal friend to me.” 

 

“Randy was a calm and steadying presence wherever he went, leading with humility, humor, and kindness. We are pleased to honor Randy Stauffer, his life and his legacy, in a very small way with this award expressing the appreciation of corn farmers in Illinois,” Leigh said. 

 

Stauffer’s wife, Stephanie, and his children accepted the award in his honor.

Green combine harvester in a harvested field under a cloudy sky
By Lyndi Allen • September 23, 2026
Illinois farmers saw their earnings improve in 2025, but the latest data shows that farm profitability remains well below recent averages.
Dolly Parton Maze from All Seasons Orchard
By Tara Desmond • September 22, 2026
A Woodstock, IL farm's Dolly Parton corn maze is one of 18 nationwide honoring the icon and benefiting her Imagination Library literacy program.
farmer next to engine with headphones on
By Tamara H. Thompson • September 22, 2026
Untreated hearing loss strains and shrinks the brain and drives social isolation, raising the risk of dementia but early treatment with hearing aids or other devices can help protect against it.
Steve Fourez
By Tara Desmond • September 22, 2026
A farmer's stroke went unnoticed until family and coworkers insisted he get help. His Safety Week story on why every minute matters
Sen. Celina Villenueva, Chris Gould, Orlando Rojas, Ambassador Reyna Torres
By Lyndi Allen • September 18, 2026
IL Corn joined partners and community leaders highlight the role of the Latino community in Illinois agriculture and labor.
Tugboat pushing a barge along a river at sunset, with a bridge in the background.
By Lyndi Allen • September 17, 2026
The House of Representatives took an important step towards strengthening the nation’s inland waterways by passing the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026
Show More