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CropScout Christie Receives TNC's 2024 Conservation Excellence Agribusiness Award

CropScout Christie Receives TNC's 2024 Conservation Excellence Agribusiness Award for her practical insights and hands-on education in soil health and regenerative agriculture.

January 07, 2025 | Lansing, MI

Five people stand on a stage holding an award photo.
Soil Health Hero Awards From left to right: Chuck Lippstreu (MABA), Rebecca Hagerman (TNC), Dr. Tim Boring (MDARD), award-winner Christie Apple (TiMac Agro), Ben Wickerham (TNC) © TNC

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The Nature Conservancy in Michigan (TNC) today announced Christie Apple, known on social media as CropScout Christie, as the recipient of TNC’s 2024 Conservation Excellence Agribusiness Award. The award was presented Tuesday, January 7, during the Michigan Agri-Business Association’s 92nd annual Winter Conference and Trade Show at The Lansing Center.

“We are proud to work closely with innovative farmer advisors across Michigan’s agriculture sector to spread the word about healthy soil practices and ensure Michigan farm fields are prepared to face the challenges that come with climate change, including drought and other extreme weather events,” said Ben Wickerham, agriculture program director for The Nature Conservancy in Michigan. “Christie Apple is a renowned agronomy expert, and she has made a real impact across Michigan by sharing the science of soil health with farmers in creative and easy to digest ways.”

Christie has been working in agronomy for more than 15 years. She holds a leadership role at TimacAgro USA, a global innovator in crop nutrient and bio-stimulant manufacturing. There, she oversees ongoing field education and mentoring for technical field representatives and drives new business development within the wholesale distribution chain across the Great Lakes Region.

Christie started the CropScout Christie social media channel, which includes Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, to meet the growing demand for on-the-ground learning and support. She also engages growers by speaking at seminars, leading breakout sessions, field days, and root pits, providing practical insights and hands-on education in soil health and regenerative practices.

“Christie’s passion for advancing soil health, and her commitment to supporting agricultural stewardship are truly commendable,” said Chuck Lippstreu, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, and a member of The Nature Conservancy in Michigan’s Board of Trustees. “This award is a well-deserved recognition of Christie’s efforts that have set a ‘gold standard’ for communication and outreach on some of the most important topics in the today’s agricultural industry.”

Learn more about our agriculture work at soilsavings.com.

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 81 countries and territories (40 by direct conservation impact and 41 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org or follow @nature_press on X.