This award honors and recognizes a member of ASABE who has performed noteworthy contributions to the advancement of soil and water engineering in teaching, research, planning, design, construction, management or development of materials. These contributions shall have been either in the form of published literature, notable performance, or special actions which have served to advance the science of soil and water engineering.

In 1966, the Hancock Brick & Tile Co. (now ADS/Hancor) decided to sponsor an award recognizing noteworthy contributions to the advancement of soil and water engineering. For the first two years of its existence, the award was presented in recognition of outstanding work in drainage engineering; in 1968, its scope was enlarged to include all engineering aspects of soil and water control for agriculture. The award is sponsored by ADS/Hancor, of Findley, OH.

The award shall consist of a polished hardwood plaque mounted with a bronze medallion engraved with the elements symbolic of the relationship between agricultural engineering and a productive natural environment.