The Otto J. Bauer Outstanding Conservation Farmer of the Year award is named in memory of Otto J. Bauer. Bauer was a champion of soil and water conservation efforts in Dubois County and a member of the SWCD Board of Supervisors from 1969-1986

• 2024- Andrew Helming: Helming Family Farm
• 2023- Joseph Keusch
• 2022- Sam & Sandy Neukam
• 2021- No Award Given Due to Covid-19
• 2020 – Welp Grain & Livestock
• 2019 – Dustin Schmett
• 2018 – Kenny Beckman
• 2017 – Kurt Voelkel
• 2016 – Alan Weyer
• 2015 – Mill Creek Farms
• 2014 – Welp’s Farm & Greenhouse
• 2013 – Ring Farms
• 2012 – Oxley’s Rolling Hills Farms
• 2011 – Clarence & Sue Brames
• 2010 – Norman Schue
• 2009 – Lange Farms, Inc.
• 2008 – Balsy Haven Dairy
• 2007 – Weisheit Bros. Farms
• 2006 – Whitsitt Farms, Inc.
• 2005 – Brad Wehr
• 2004 – Roman & Sheila Wagner Family
• 2003 – Clarence & Tony Buechler
• 2002 – Alan & Ruth Small
• 2001 – Norbert & Elfrieda Johanneman
• 2000 – Stan Leinenbach
• 1999 – Ponder Yonder Farms
• 1998 – Ed Reckelhoff, Jr.
• 1997 – Lloyd Prusz Family Farm
• 1996 – Wanda Kalb Family Farm
• 1995 – Wehr Family
• 1994 – Ralph Jochem
• 1993 – Don Eck

• 1992 – Vernon Meyer
• 1991 – Steve Weyer
• 1990 – Welp Homestead Farm
• 1989 – Mr & Mrs Glen Voelkel
• 1988 – Mr & Mrs Jerome Begle
• 1987 – Otto J Bauer Family
• 1986 – Rauscher Farms, Inc
• 1985 – Mr & Mrs Ralph Lueken
• 1984 – Mill Creek Farms
• 1983 – Joe Ketzner Family
• 1982 – Melvin Sermersheim Family
• 1981 – Leroy Loehr Family
• 1980 – Sam Feldmeyer & Family
• 1979 – David Schnell
• 1978 – Kevin Haycox
• 1977 – Mr & Mrs William Hopf
• 1976 – Mr & Mrs James Seger
• 1975 – Mr & Mrs Norbert Begle
• 1974 – Niehaus & Katter Farming
• 1973 – Gwen & Lucille Rudolph
• 1972 – Mr & Mrs Leo F Gehlhausen
• 1971 – Mr & Mrs Gilbert Fleck
• 1970 – Cedar Crest Farms
• 1969 – Gilbert Whitsitt
• 1968 – Buening Bros
• 1967 – Amos & Carl Freyberger
• 1966 – Allen Werne
• 1965 – Edwin Small