Welcome to our second edition of The GroundBreakers, our annual recognition program for contractors, advocates and water management professionals who go above and beyond to elevate the field of agricultural drainage.



Our first honoree of 2023 is Jacob Handsaker of Hands On Tiling and Excavating. Jacob’s business is competitive in one of the busiest drainage states, but beyond service and competency, he’s known in and beyond Iowa for his commitment to conservation practices and water quality. Partnering with organizations such as the ADMC and working closely with IDALS, Jacob and Hands On have partaken in the state’s batch and build program to install more than 50 saturated buffers in Iowa fields. Handsaker shares in the podcast why he doesn’t simply view this as above and beyond, but rather a necessary move for the future of Iowa’s water.

Stay tuned as we bring you the rest of our 2023 GroundBreakers. Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks, on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.