Kris Reynolds Receives 2026 Dave Rahe Excellence in Soils Consulting Award

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) is pleased to announce Kris Reynolds as the recipient of the 2026 Dave Rahe Excellence in Soils Consulting Award. This prestigious award recognizes a Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) for their outstanding contributions to soil management within Illinois soybean production systems, honoring the legacy of Dave Rahe, a passionate advocate for soil health.

Reynolds has dedicated more than 24 years to improving soil science, soil health and conservation agriculture across Illinois. He began his career as a Resource Conservationist with the Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District, where he spent approximately 16 years working directly with farmers to implement sustainable land management practices. He later served as a Cover Crop Specialist with the Illinois Council on Best Management Practices, helping expand adoption of soil-enhancing practices statewide.

Since 2017, Reynolds has served as Midwest Regional Director and Central Managing Director for American Farmland Trust, where he leads watershed partnerships and supports implementation of Illinois’ Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. His work includes guiding collaborative conservation efforts in watersheds such as Upper Macoupin Creek and Vermillion Headwaters, helping farmers improve soil health, nutrient efficiency and water quality.

A CCA with specialties in nutrient management and sustainability, Reynolds takes a farmer-first approach to conservation education. He emphasizes practical, economically viable strategies, including cover crops, no-till farming, and 4R nutrient stewardship. He leads by example by implementing these practices on his own farm in Nokomis, Illinois, since 2013. His firsthand experience allows him to build trust with farmers while demonstrating how conservation practices can support both profitability and environmental stewardship.

Reynolds holds a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy and Agricultural Business from Illinois State University and received extensive Natural Resources Conservation Service technical training during his tenure as a resource conservationist. He also served on the board of the STAR (Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources) program, helping evaluate and promote field-level conservation practices. His outreach efforts include workshops, field demonstrations, interviews and educational content designed to meet farmers where they are and support locally driven solutions, including sourcing cover crop seed from regional growers.

Beyond his professional work, Reynolds integrates conservation with community and habitat improvement, incorporating practices that support wildlife and reflect his personal commitment as a hunter and conservationist. His collaborative leadership, technical expertise and hands-on experience exemplify the values of the Dave Rahe Excellence in Soils Consulting Award.

ISA congratulates Kris Reynolds on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his lasting contributions to soil health and agriculture in Illinois.