Farm Progress

Applications for the 2018 Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award must be postmarked by Aug. 4.

April 16, 2018

2 Min Read
CONSERVATION HONOR: A $10,000 award is presented annually by the Sand County Foundation, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, and Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association.

Do you know a Wisconsin farmer who goes above and beyond in the care and management of natural resources? Nominate him or her for the 2018 Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award.

Sand County Foundation, a national voice for private land conservation, presents the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 13 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes those who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private working land.

In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.

In Wisconsin, the $10,000 award is presented annually by Sand County Foundation, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, and Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association.

Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. Find the application online.

Applications must be postmarked by Aug. 4 and mailed to: Leopold Conservation Award, c/o Sand County Foundation, 131 W. Wilson St., Suite 610, Madison, WI 53711.

“Being a good steward of the land is a large component of being a successful farmer,” says Jim Holte, Wisconsin Farm Bureau president. “The Leopold Conservation Award recognizes farmers who demonstrate a high standard of care for their soil, water and livestock. I encourage farmers to apply for this award to highlight how they protect and care for our resources.”

“Dairy farmers have a long history of nurturing and protecting the natural resources within their care. The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and the Wisconsin dairy farm families we represent are proud to again sponsor the Leopold Conservation Award,” says Patrick Geoghegan, WMMB senior vice president of marketing and industry relations.

“Leopold Conservation Award nominees show that private landowners can be both profitable in their business and champions of the environment. The stewardship they have embraced is all the more necessary as increasing productivity is expected from every acre,” says Jim VandenBrook, Wisconsin Land and Water executive director.

Finalists will be announced this fall. The award will be presented at the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting in December.

The Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award is made possible through the support of the WMMB, WFBF, Compeer Financial, Alliant Energy Foundation, American Transmission Co., Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association, We Energies Foundation, and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Source: Sand County Foundation

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