Conservation Ag Foundation

The Conservation Ag Foundation is a nonprofit organization that was established in 2024 to promote environmentalist farming in the U.S. The Foundation, which is the nonprofit entity of Lessiter Media, publisher of North American agricultural and equine hoof-care media, seeks to advance conservation-based agricultural practices like no-till, strip-till, and cover cropping. 1

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At-A-Glance

Type: Non-profit, 501(c)(3)
Issue Areas: Environmental Policy
Website: conservationagfoundation.org
Formation:

2024

Executive Director:

Patrick Sharpe

Location: Brookfield, WI View on map
Tax ID: 93-4608656

Contents

    Activities

    The Conservation Ag Foundation was established in 2024 as the charitable nonprofit entity of Lessiter Media, a publisher of agricultural and equine media like No-Till Farmer and Farriers Journal magazines. The Foundation aims to empower farmers with the tools and practical knowledge needed to adopt conservation practices like no-till, strip-till, and cover cropping. The Conservation Ag Foundation claims that these farming practices improve soil health, advance environmental stewardship, protect water quality, and secure long-term agricultural viability. 1

    The Conservation Ag Foundation’s approach is focused on achieving long-term sustainability in agriculture through methods designed to enhance soil health, mitigate erosion, reduce runoff, and sequester carbon. The Foundation seeks positive outcomes for both farmers and the environment by conducting impact assessment, which measures improvements in soil health, water quality, crop yields, and farm profitability. 1

    Financials

    The Conservation Ag Foundation is funded by undisclosed donations from individuals, foundations, and businesses. The Conservation Ag Foundation was established as a nonprofit in 2024 and filed the IRS e-Postcard for tax years 2023 and 2024, declaring less than $50,000 in gross receipts. 2

    Leadership

    Mike Lessiter is the chair of the board of the Conservation Ag Foundation and the editor and publisher of Farm Equipment. Lessiter formerly worked in various roles with the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. 3

    Randall Reeder is the vice chair of the board of the Conservation Ag Foundation, the executive director of the Ohio No-Till Council, and an author for No-Till Farmer. 4

    Patrick Sharpe is the executive director and a special advisor of the Conservation Ag Foundation, and the COO of Lessiter Media. 5

    Jim Stute is the treasurer of the board of the Conservation Ag Foundation and an independent research agronomist. 6

    Luke Weigel is the secretary of the board of the Conservation Ag Foundation, an author for Farm Equipment, and a brand manager for Lessiter Media. 7

    Jim Leverich is an author for No-Till Farmer and was named the No-Till Innovator of the Year in research and education in 2006 for his work at the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service. 8

    Frank Lessiter is a special advisor to the Conservation Ag Foundation and the founder, chair, and editorial director of Lessiter Media. 9

    Michael Storts is a special advisor to the Conservation Ag Foundation and the vice president of finance and administration at Lessiter Media. 10

    Other members of the board include Loran Steinlage, Mike Starkey, and Jim Hershey. 11

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    Financials, employee compensation, and grant information provided by Candid.

    References

    1. “Conservation Ag Foundation.” No-Till Farmer, December 27, 2023. Accessed May 26, 2025. https://www.no-tillfarmer.com/articles/12981-conservation-ag-foundation-established-to-promote-sustainable-farming
    2. “Conservative Ag Foundation Inc.” GuideStar. Accessed May 26, 2025. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/93-4608656.
    3. “Mike Lessiter.” Farm Equipment. Accessed May 26, 2025. https://www.farm-equipment.com/authors/126-mike-lessiter.
    4. “Randall Reeder.” No-Till Farmer. Accessed May 26, 2025. https://www.no-tillfarmer.com/authors/568-randall-reeder.
    5. “Lessiter Media Appoints New COO and VP of Finance.” Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association, April 24, 2025. Accessed May 26, 2025. https://www.farmequip.org/news/lessiter-media-appoints-new-coo-and-vp-of-finance/.
    6. “Jim Stute.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 26, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-stute-838ba11b7/.
    7. “Luke Weigel.” Farm Equipment. Accessed May 26, 2025. https://www.farm-equipment.com/authors/391-luke-weigel.
    8. “Jim Leverich.” No-Till Farmer. Accessed May 26, 2025. https://www.no-tillfarmer.com/authors/12-jim-leverich.
    9. “Frank Lessiter.” No-Till Farmer. Accessed May 26, 2025. https://www.no-tillfarmer.com/authors/6-frank-lessiter.
    10. “Michael Storts.” Lessiter Media. Accessed May 28, 2025. https://www.lessitermedia.com/team-view/michael-storts/.
    11. “Home.” Conservation Ag Foundation. Accessed May 26, 2025. https://conservationagfoundation.org/.