Coon Creek’s Gretebeck family wins Conservation Farmer of the Year award

April 11, 2026

SPARTA, Wis. – For a half century the Monroe County Land Stewardship Awards have recognized those who dedicate their lives to protecting the local soil and water. The 50th annual banquet on Jan. 24 2026 celebrated a new class of honorees who are carrying that legacy forward.

Monroe County Conservationist Bob Micheel opened the bitter cold Friday night by emphasizing the importance of the event and the dedication of the attendees.

“The standard of caring for the land is reflected tonight in our award winners and our future through our youth poster and speaking contest winners,” said Bob Micheel. “Tonight is a special night for us.”

Monroe County Conservation Agronomist Brad Robson defined the concept of a conservation fraternity as a group sharing a common purpose and interest in local conservation. He noted that the awards create a lasting community of land stewards who drive regional progress.

“I have also realized the connection the award winners have with each other is very instrumental in advancing conservation in our county,” said Brad Robson. “The fraternity this program has built will lead us into the future. People learn from each other more than they learn from our group of supporting actors at the county land conservation department.”

Robson also reflected on the deep family traditions that uphold these ongoing efforts and the pride visible among the attendees.

“As I stand here tonight in front of this crowd and look around one of the first words I think of is legacy in regards to our local conservation fraternity,” said Brad Robson. “All you have to do is look through the list of past award winners and look around the room tonight to see the families who choose to carry the legacy of conservation forward.”

A Family Legacy of Resilience

The central focus of the evening was the Gretebeck family of All Seasons Farm near Cashton who were named the 2025 Conservation Farmers of the Year. Tucker and Becky Gretebeck along with their children Alana and Trent operate a 50 cow grass fed organic dairy and an agritourism pumpkin patch in the Coon Creek watershed.

During a video presentation the family detailed their farming journey and the challenges they have overcome. As fifth generation farmers they transitioned their conventional dairy to a grass based organic system during a severe drought year. In 2018 they faced catastrophic flooding that devastated their community and breached a dam in their valley. The disaster prompted them to implement new conservation practices to prevent future damage and show others what is possible.

“That first year of going grass-fed it was a drought so we had that on top of making a cold turkey change with our cattle,” said Tucker Gretebeck. “If we would have had row crops in when this happened it would have been a whole different story.”

The Gretebecks have implemented mutiple practices on their land to slow water down and keep it in place. They built a mini-dam to slow runoff and create wildlife habitat. They also established a silvopasture project by planting trees in their pastures to provide shade for their cattle and improve the soil. Becky Gretebeck explained that managing their compost and manure effectively so it could be spread year round was another major step born out of the flood recovery.

The flood also fundamentally changed how they viewed their role in the community and their purpose for farming.

“I think the second favorite part of the farm for me is not just how we enjoy it but how we’ve been able to allow other people to enjoy it,” said Becky Gretebeck in the video. “And I think that became very clear to us when we had the flood it was no longer about us, because if it was us, we would have quit.”

Tucker Gretebeck echoed that sentiment and noted that their motivation stems from a desire to demonstrate resilience and leave a legacy.

“I know we’re not going to be here forever and I want something to pass on to the kids,” said Tucker Gretebeck. “I’m super proud of everything we’ve done and we did it for a reason and it was always in the interest of showing people that we can do things with what we have and make the world a better place.”

When accepting the award Tucker Gretebeck expressed deep gratitude for the relationships that helped their farm survive and thrive.

“The community came and they pumped us up because we didn’t know what we were going to do right after the flood,” said Tucker Gretebeck. “Sometimes you just say thank you and that is all I really need to do tonight because just seeing the group that came from Vernon County and and the watershed folks and the neighbors and and getting that call today from Jerome Frederick in the morning, seeing if he could come to the banquet that it made me so happy. It’s all about the relationships.”

Becky Gretebeck highlighted that their conservation efforts are ultimately about preserving the farm for the future and reversing their original plans to leave the agricultural lifestyle behind.

“The way we farm today allows us to keep this farm in the family,” said Becky Gretebeck. “If we didn’t do it the way we did, we both went to college and said heck no we’re never coming back and here, we are and we’ve been doing this for over 20 years. We have opportunities for the rest of the family in the future whether it’s the kids or someone else.”

State Representative Tara Johnson presented the family with a legislative citation and praised their leadership within the region.

“They have taught me along with all of the other good hardworking folks from the Coon Creek Community Watershed Council so much in my first year of work as a state legislator,” said Tara Johnson. “I consider Tucker and Becky, and I’m getting to know the kids, but I consider them friends and it is a real pleasure for me to be able to do this.”

Honoring Fellow Stewards

The banquet also honored three other dedicated conservationists.

Odell Anderson received the 2025 Conservationist of the Year award for decades of work on his Leon Township property. Since 1978 Anderson has planted trees converted open fields to native CRP prairies and installed lunker structures to improve trout habitat in the local streams. His son David Anderson accepted the award on his behalf.

“On behalf of my dad I would like to thank you for the award,” said David Anderson. “He has put a lot of time and effort into it and he has done it for the generations in the future.”

James Lanier was recognized as the 2025 Outstanding Tree Farmer for continuing a family forestry legacy that began in 1961. Lanier and his family have planted over 40,000 trees converted agricultural land into forest and managed acres of prairie and wildlife habitat. Lanier accepted the award with a heavy heart as his mother Lida who helped start the tree planting tradition passed away unexpectedly just weeks before the banquet.

“There is a little bit of sadness here with us and our family,” said James Lanier. “My mom who really wanted to be here was looking forward to this event and she is really missed here tonight.”

Karen Williamson received the Invader Persuader of the Year award for her tireless efforts to eradicate invasive species. Williamson organized chainsaw training classes baked goods for volunteers and walked hundreds of miles along county highways to document invasive and native plants. She was recognized for her deep curiosity and continuous community outreach and graciously thanked the state legislature when presented with a citation honoring her ecosystem conservation work.