The Indiana State Department of Agriculture and Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing announced the 2026 Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing Stewardship Award winners on Oct. 23, 2026.
Mainstay Farming Partnership in Kewanna won first place and $20,000. Breisch Farms LLC in Greentown won second place and $10,000. The award recognizes popcorn growers who implement practices to improve soil health and water quality.
Mainstay Farming Partnership implements reduced and no-till farming, grassed waterways, cover crops, water and sediment control basins, and vegetative field borders. Breisch Farms uses reduced tillage, cover crops, grassed waterways, and grass filter strips.
This is the award's second year. Seventy percent of all Weaver popcorn growers participated in the competition. The agriculture department reviewed applications, visited five finalists, and selected the two winners.
Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, secretary of agriculture and rural development, said conservation often requires resources that can strain producers. "Many times, the cost to implement those practices can be a barrier for producers. That is why ISDA is excited to partner with businesses like Weaver to help incentivize producers to implement best conservation practices," Beckwith said.
The other finalists were Smith Farms from Peru, Roush Farms from Van Buren, and Allmandinger Farms from Ohio City, Ohio.