Earlier this month, our team at the Evangelical Environmental Network was shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Iowa farmer Ray Gaesser. Ray leaves behind an incredible legacy of stewardship, relationship, leadership, ingenuity, and faith––and we are honored to have partnered closely with him in recent years.
A lifelong farmer, Gaesser built his Iowa corn and soybean farm for nearly 50 years while serving as president of the American Soybean Association as well as a leader within the Iowa Soybean Promotion Board, Iowa Economic Development Agriculture Advisory Board, North American Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance, International Soybean Growers Alliance, and the USDA’s Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee.
Ray’s infectious joy and Christlike spirit impacted and inspired countless people, including EEN’s faith and agriculture ministry. Ray was a regular speaker on EEN’s Faith & Agriculture Webinar Series and contributor to our Regenerate newsletter. He blessed our community by sharing his vast experience in conservation-forward agricultural practices and passion for tending God’s good gift of land to educate and empower others to begin regenerative farming.
Ray joined EEN in Washington, D.C. on multiple occasions to speak with policymakers and educate them on the need for increased support to farmers engaging in voluntary conservation agriculture programs. This April, Ray and EEN President and CEO Dr. Rev. Jessica Moerman also published an opinion article together in the Des Moines Register. We will always be deeply grateful for the dedication and care he showed our EEN community through these opportunities.
Ray’s voice is currently reaching an even wider audience through the recently-released documentary, The [Conserv]atives, which spotlights his story as an agricultural leader using his influence and resources to address climate change. The film, which also features EEN’s work supporting evangelical churches in creation stewardship, premiered in May at the D.C. Environmental Film Festival, where Ray and Jessica participated together in a post-screening audience discussion. We are encouraged that more people will continue to discover Gaesser’s inspiring legacy through this film for years to come.
Our network represents just a small sample of the countless people Ray impacted with his servant leadership and godly character. We echo the words of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, who shared that Ray “will long be remembered as one of our greatest farmers, innovators, and advocates…giving so much of himself to so many causes, and always with purpose and intention.” We offer our condolences to his wife––Elaine––his two children, his community, and everyone he touched throughout his rich life.
Instead of flowers, Ray’s family shares that memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund or the Ray Gaesser Scholarship Fund.
