Whalen Farms Receives IL Corn’s Randy Stauffer Stewardship Award

The IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and Precision Conservation Management (PCM) are proud to announce Whalen Farms as the recipient of the 2026 Randy Stauffer Stewardship Award. This award honors PCM farmers who exemplify the spirit of land stewardship and conservation leadership modeled by the late Randy Stauffer.

Jay Whalen farms alongside his sister, Melissa Whalen Smith, in Livingston and LaSalle Counties. Their operation utilizes no-till, strip-till, and diverse cover crops across nearly every acre, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to soil health and sustainability.



“Jay and Melissa are doing all the right things,” said Aidan Walton, PCM Specialist for North Central Illinois, who nominated the Whalen family for the award. “They have transformed the health of their soils over the years to now needing little to no phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Their nitrogen rates are at or below MRTN recommendations, and their nitrogen use efficiencies are among the best of all my cooperators — all while maintaining profitability.”

The Whalen family has been working with PCM since 2023, using their annual data analysis to measure both environmental and financial outcomes. They take their stewardship a step further by sharing these reports with landlords, providing transparency about the economic and environmental performance of each field.

Beyond the farm, Jay is well-known throughout his community and can often be found at local events sharing his experiences with cover crops, soil health testing, and nutrient management strategies to help other farmers learn from his success.

The Randy Stauffer Stewardship Award was presented to Whalen Farms at ICGA’s Annual Meeting on November 25, 2026. Randy’s work and expertise were foundational to the development of PCM, demonstrating his commitment to supporting farmers as they consider new conservation practices. He was a constant supporter of PCM and ICGA and was often the voice of Midwest farmers at national and international events explaining why we must all work with farmers if we want to make lasting changes that improve water quality and soil health. Randy was a calm and steady presence wherever he went, leading with humility, humor, and kindness. 

The Whalen’s leadership and willingness to share information with others embodies the same passion for conservation and farmer collaboration that Randy Stauffer championed. Congratulations to the Whalen family on this achievement!

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For media inquiries, please contact: Rosalie Trump – rtrump@precisionconservation.org – 815-751-6145

About the IL Corn Growers Association 

IL Corn Growers Association is a state-based organization that represents the interests of corn farmers in Illinois, maintaining a high profile on issues in Washington, DC, and Springfield, IL. Through grassroots advocacy, ICGA creates a future for Illinois farmers in which they can operate freely, responsibly, and successfully. In order to fulfill this mission, the organization conducts governmental affairs activities at all levels, market development projects, and educational and member service programs. For further information regarding their work and involvement, visit their website www.ilcorn.org. 

About Precision Conservation Management (PCM)

Precision Conservation Management (PCM) is the premier conservation program of the IL Corn Growers Association. PCM provides data-driven conservation recommendations and on-the-ground support for farmers in Illinois, Nebraska, Kentucky and Missouri. Visit http://www.precisionconservation.org to learn more.