Abe Sanquist receives 2026 HCFB Distinquished Service to Agriculture award
The Harrison County Farm Bureau was proud to recognize Abe Sandquist as the recipient of the 2026 Distinquished Service to Agriculture Award during the Membership Appreciation Dinner held at the Harrison County Iowa Fair on July 23.
Presented annually, the award honors a member whose leadership, innovation, and commitment have made a lasting impact on agriculture and our rural communities.
Abe's dedication to advancing agriculture through conservation, sustainable farming practices, and nutrient recovery truly exemplifies the values this award represents.
Over the past two decades, Abe has led Natural Fertilizer Services with a vision of helping livestock producers, crop farmers, food processors, and communities recover valuable nutrients and return them to the land. His work has transformed organic by-products into valuable agricultural resources that improve soil health, enhance nutrient cycling, and support long-term agricultural productivity.
One of Abe's most notable accomplishments is his leadership in developing the WINR (Waste Into Nutrient Recovery) Center in Woodbine. This innovative project converts livestock manure, food processing byproducts, yard waste, and other organic materials into valuable soil amendments, promoting soil health, supporting domestic fertilizer independence, and creating economic opportunities for rural communities.
Abe's career began as a soil conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and his commitment to agriculture has continued to grow. Under his leadership, Natural Fertilizer Services has expanded from a one-person operation into a thriving business employing more than 30 people and serving agricultural partners across the region.
The Harrison County Farm Bureau Board of Directors sincerely thanks Abe for his outstanding leadership, vision, and dedication to strengthening agriculture in Harrison County and beyond. His commitment to conservation, innovation, and the future of farming is making a lasting difference for generations to come.
