(La Porte County, IN) - A local farmer has been recognized for being friendly to the earth.

Mark Parkman has received an award for raising crops in a manner designed to keep his soil from getting washed into rivers and streams.

The River Friendly Farmer certificate is for food producers who go above and beyond in those efforts.

“It’s a nice honor to be recognized for the stuff that we’re trying to do,” he said.

Parkman, who’s from the Westville area, practices things like no till farming and planting cover crops to prevent soil erosion.  He raises mostly soybeans, corn and beef cattle.

Parkman is also president of La Porte County Farm Bureau.

The award is issued every year to growers statewide by the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.