Nominations are now open for an annual award presented by the Conservation Agriculture Systems Innovation Center that honors innovative leaders in conservation tillage in California.

Nominations for the 2016 Conservation Tillage Farmer Innovator Award are being accepted until May 31. The award is presented to those who demonstrate innovation and leadership in the development, refinement and use of conservation tillage systems within California’s crop production environment.

According to Jeffrey Mitchell, cooperative extension cropping systems specialist with the University of California, the program has done well in recognizing conservation tillage innovators.

The award program began in 2005 when the University of California and the Natural Resources Conservation Service wanted to provide greater visibility to conservation tillage pioneers in California.

Last year’s recipient was the late Charlie Rominger, who was recognized posthumously for his work to prevent erosion in the Dunnigan Hills of northern California.

Nominations can be written in an e-mail and submitted to Mitchell at [email protected] by May 31.