ACWA Chairman Wins Lifetime Achievement Award

By Tom Collins

Ankeny, IA (IAWA) – Harry Ahrenholtz, Chairman of the Board for Agriculture’s Clean Water Alliance (ACWA), a non-profit committed to improving Iowa’s water quality, has won the 2025 Watershed Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes professionals who have dedicated their career to improving Iowa’s water quality and have gone above and beyond to make an impact. Ahrenholtz is a great example of this, having spent nearly 25 years with ACWA, advocating for water quality practices including  the adoption of nitrogen stabilizers, addition of conservation agronomists, and the state’s first bioreactor. 

“I decided that I wanted to stay connected to that, in fact I’ve been a part of it now for the past 14 years since I actually retired from my professional career,” Ahrenholtz said about his time spent with the organization. 

“I think of all the good people that I’ve been able to interact with through all the years at ACWA, and all of the good work that they have done,” he reminisced, citing the “unsung heroes” he has worked with over the years. 

Within his nomination, Ahrenholtz is also cited as being a major contributor to gaining funding from EQIP, MRBI, and CCPI projects. Further, he is said to foster trusting relationships with colleagues and partners, giving frequent phone calls to check in and engage with partners. 

Ahrenholtz emphasized his gratitude to those around him, saying “thankfully, I was around to be a part of it,” and indicating that he plans to continue advocating for water quality for as long as he can. 

About the Iowa Watershed Awards 

The Iowa Watershed Awards celebrate individuals and organizations making significant contributions to water quality and conservation in the state. The Impact Award recognizes measurable results, collaboration, and innovation that improve Iowa’s watersheds. You can read about past winners here.