Roger Wenning, a highly respected farmer from Greensburg, Indiana, has become a leader in sustainable agriculture. Farming alongside his wife Mary Beth, his sons Nick and Kevin, and his sister Marita, Roger has transformed the tough, poorly-drained Clermont soils on his family’s farm through a comprehensive approach that includes tiling, no-till farming, and cover crops. Committed to building soil health, the Wennings prioritize high productivity by investing in drainage and soil structure, implementing 100% cover crop usage, and planting “green” directly into standing crops. With innovative practices such as twin-row planting and variable-rate seeding, Roger has successfully achieved yields that compete with top-producing farms across Indiana.
Beyond the farm, Roger is a passionate conservationist and community leader. He serves as president of the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, is a Decatur County SWCD supervisor, and has earned numerous accolades, including the Indiana Conservation Farmer of the Year, the 2019 Master Farmer award, and the National Conservation Legacy award from the American Soybean Association. Known for his willingness to share knowledge, he regularly hosts field days to educate others about soil health practices, often in collaboration with Purdue University’s Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative. He is also a founding member of the Ag Advisors farmer mentor program. Roger and his family also maintain a deep commitment to their community, from volunteering to preserve local history to donating in memory of his late grandson, Travis, to support children in need.