Acres U.S.A., a leading publication in sustainable agriculture, has honored the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Steve Diver with the 2024 Eco-Agriculture Achievement Award.  

The Eco-Agriculture Achievement Award recognizes leaders actively practicing and promoting transformative, ecologically sound agricultural methods. Each year, past recipients and the magazine’s editorial team select a deserving innovator who embodies the principles of holistic, science-based environmental stewardship. 

Diver, now farm superintendent for the Martin-Gatton CAFE Horticulture Research Farm, has dedicated over four decades to advancing soil health, composting systems, organic crop production and regenerative agriculture practices. His work and expertise spans both horticultural and soil sciences with a special interest in alternative farming systems. During his career, he has served on the USDA Compost Tea Task Force, the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee for The Organic Center and USAID assignments on organic agriculture in Russia and India. 

“I got my start in eco-agriculture four decades ago in the 1980s, back when it was considered a niche approach,” Diver said. “It just made sense to me—focusing on soil health, crop vitality and ecological balance. My career has been driven by questions from farmers on how to adopt agro-ecological practices to raise crops and livestock with reduced synthetic inputs. Whether we call it organic, sustainable or regenerative agriculture, the principles are the same—working with nature rather than against it.” 

Diver began his professional career in 1984 as a horticulture extension agent in Muskogee County, Oklahoma after graduating from Oklahoma State University. Here he was able to develop educational programs for both farmers and gardeners, conduct on-farm research and help develop early standards for organic crop production which had a heavy emphasis on soil health practices. 

“Farmers are naturally risk-averse, which can make it challenging to adopt to ecological farming methods,” Diver said. “But over time, the results have spoken for themselves—healthier soil, resilient crops and reduced reliance on synthetic inputs.” 

At the research farm, Diver oversees a large, multifaceted operation with numerous research plots, greenhouses and partnerships with academic departments. In addition to fruit and vegetable research, the farm supports innovative research on biochar, hydrochar, biofertilizers, heirloom corn for bourbon distillation, CBD hemp and specialty oilseed crops.  

“Managing the UK Horticulture Research Farm is a privilege,” Diver said. “It’s a large, dynamic operation with so many moving parts—field trials, greenhouse trials, conventional and organic research plots, and our Community Supported Agriculture program. I get to work with an amazing team, helping faculty and graduate students turn their ideas into real-world projects.”  

Not initially knowing he would be the year’s recipient, Diver expressed both surprise and gratitude upon receiving the award. During the closing keynote address at the Acres U.S.A. Conference, the organization announced his selection in front of an enthusiastic crowd of peers, colleagues and eco-agriculture supporters. 

“It was a complete surprise,” Diver noted. “It’s truly an honor to be recognized by an organization I’ve long admired.” 

The award was presented at the annual Acres U.S.A. conference in Madison, Wisconsin, in December. 

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Writer: Jordan Strickler, jstrickler@uky.edu           

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