Chuck White honored for agriculture advocacy

August 29, 2025 | Bethany Baratta

Some people know Spencer farmer Chuck White through his involvement and advocacy of the Clay County Fair — he's a second-generation fair board member. Others have long admired his conservation efforts in northern Iowa. Friends around the world know White through his hospitality.

Recently, he picked up another title: Advocate for Iowa Agriculture.

The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) recently recognized White as the 2025 Advocate for Iowa Agriculture. Presented by Bayer, the award recognizes White's tireless efforts to promote and protect the future of Iowa farming.

Known for his dedication to sharing the real story of agriculture, White has become a familiar voice both in his local community and across the state.

A lifelong farmer, White grew up in Clay County on a diversified livestock and crop operation. "We had a lot of cattle and hogs and also raised soybeans and corn,” he says. That set the stage for a career rooted in innovation and sustainability. Today, White farms with his son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Gina White, carrying on the tradition.

"We've got a diversified operation, and we really enjoy working with no-till, strip-till and cover crops," White says.

They started implementing cover crops on their fields about 10 years ago; installing saturated buffers, bioreactors and other edge-of-field practices have also improved soil health and water quality.

"We try to do things the right way," White says. "My motto is: Try to do it better every year." His efforts extend beyond the boundaries of his fields. Whether hosting international trade delegations, speaking on farmer panels, or engaging audiences on social media, he embraces every opportunity to represent Iowa's agriculture industry.

"It's not only about facts," says White, who retired from his service on the ISA board of directors in 2024. "It's about how we as farmers and our farm families are invested in this land. We live here, we work here, and we want to have a safe environment and a very productive farm for the future that's sustainable."

Part of his mission is showcasing his efforts to those who might be unfamiliar with agriculture — at the fair, on social media, and by striking up conversations with others.

"You have to get out there and talk to these people," he says. "They are always interested in what you're doing on your farms, and those consumers are always looking for new information."

He's just as eager to listen and learn as he is to share, he says.

"As you go through life, you're learning all the time," White says. "When I'm not telling the story of agriculture, I'm learning from fellow farmers and consumers."

White's involvement with the ISA began in the early 2000s, particularly through its Research Center for Farming Innovation. He credits the experience with shaping his perspective and deepening his commitment to science-based decision making on the farm.

He also played a key role in the ISA's "Front 40" initiative, where he was recognized as an influencer for his leadership in sustainable practices.

"That's really something I enjoy — visiting with other farmers that want to learn about what I'm doing, especially the young folks," he says.

Receiving the Advocate for Iowa Agriculture Award is humbling, he says. "I was really kind of shocked," White admits. "It really meant a lot to me. During my tenure on the board we were always looking for ways to help the public understand what agriculture was about. We wanted to make sure they had a good handle on where we were at and how we were doing environmentally."

Written by Bethany Baratta.

ISA Marketing Coordinator Mickayla Jordan contributed to this story.

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