Leopold Conservation Award

2020

Leopold Conservation Blair BrothersAward Angus Ranch of Photo by ©Bill Krzyzanowski Photography1 Leopold Conservation Award

t was Aldo Leopold who wrote, “the landscape of any farm is the owner’s portrait I of himself.” In Leopold’s influential book, A Sand County Almanac, the renowned conservationist, landowner and scientist called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage. His idea of a “land ethic” is alive and well today in thousands of American farmers, ranchers and forestland owners who improve soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat while they produce food and fiber.

For more than 50 years, Leopold’s land ethic has guided Sand County Foundation’s work to inspire and empower more landowners to recognize and embrace conservation opportunities on their land. Sand County Foundation launched the Leopold Conservation Award Program nearly 20 years ago in as a way to publicly celebrate leading land stewards who serve as examples to others.

Today, with dozens of partners and sponsors across the U.S., Sand County Foundation proudly presents the Leopold Conservation Award in 22 states to private landowners who exemplify the spirit of Leopold’s land ethic.

The award program recognizes extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation, inspires other landowners, and helps the general public understand the vital role private landowners play in conservation success.

An award program of this stature could not exist without quality landowner nominees and contributions both large and small. Sand County Foundation and its many partners and sponsors invite you to become part of this important story.

To learn more, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org. and contact Lance Irving at 608.729.1389, [email protected]

Leopold Conservation Craig and Conni French of Montana Award 2Photo Leopold by Isaac Conservation Miller Award 2020 Year in Review 3 Dear Friends, Sand County Foundation and our partners are especially proud to recognize the land stewards who make up the Leopold Conservation Award Class of 2020. In a year dominated by challenges and changes, one thing remained the same. Another stellar and diverse group of farmers and ranchers was recognized for the land ethic they put to work every day. These landowners demonstrate how conservation practices can lead to more resilient, productive land and to improved water quality, soil health and wildlife habitat. This group of leading land stewards extends across the country from organic olive and almond growers in , to cattle ranchers in and dairy farmers in Pennsylvania. On the following pages, you’ll be introduced to a cranberry grower in Massachusetts and a corn grower in who innovate ways to manage water. You’ll learn about landowners creating pollinator habitat around corn fields and on a vegetable farm on Long Island, and you’ll no doubt be inspired by others leading the way as they adapt to drought, fire and flood while grazing cattle across the Great Plains and in the mountains of . I’m proud to report that in 2020 we expanded the Leopold Conservation Award program into New York State, and the award will come to New Mexico and other states in 2021. This August, award recipients will gather for our national conservation symposium in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Sand County Foundation has also begun a mentorship program to share the power and knowledge of this tremendous network of past award recipients with historically underserved farmers and ranchers. We know these individuals face many challenges, and being connected with someone to offer advice about a conservation practice can build confidence and have a lasting impact. Your support deepens and expands the reach and influence of this award program. Please join this movement by nominating a deserving family in your state, providing financial support, and sharing these stories with others.

Thank you,

Kevin McAleese President and CEO Sand County Foundation

LeopoldLeopold ConservationConservation Ward and Rosie Burroughs of California AwardAward 4Photo Leopold by Paolo Conservation Vescia Award 2020 Year in Review 5 There are family farms, and there are farm Another way the Burroughs convert waste families. Then there’s the Burroughs Family of products into soil fertility is by creating CALIFORNIA Farms. compost for cropland from dairy manure and dried onion and garlic skins, which increase “Family of farms” refers a unique business carbon in the compost. WARD & ROSIE BURROUGHS•BURROUGHS FAMILY OF FARMS partnership of three siblings (and their spouses) working with their parents. These French drains are installed in boggy areas of DENAIR, CALIFORNIA interconnected farms are co-managed by pastures to channel excess water into holding Ward and Rosie Burroughs with their children: ponds. The water is later recycled to irrigate Zeb and Meridith Burroughs, Christina and pastures during the summer. This reduces Brian Bylsma, and Benina and Heriberto manure runoff from pastures during heavy Montes. rains. Erosion is also reduced by planting hedgerows of rosemary, lavender, butterfly Ward and Rosie took over his father’s bush and other native grasses around crops. conventional dairy and beef farm 45 years The hedgerows also provide windbreaks, ago. Today, the Burroughs produce and attract beneficial insects, and act as a barrier market grass-based meats and eggs, organic to keep out unwanted chemicals from olive oil, raw organic almonds and gouda neighboring farms. style cheese made with organic milk. Using sustainable management strategies and The Burroughs’ investments in conservation conservation practices, they’ve thrived have bolstered biodiversity, renewable energy despite market challenges and growing and wildlife habitat on their farms. They work pressures on California’s natural resources. with a biologist who collects native grass and wildflower seeds (including blue wild rye, pine One of the ways they protect and enhance bluegrass and California poppy) and assists the soil, air and water is by growing cover with restoration plantings on their owned and crops. Continuous ground cover with leased land. Solar energy powers most of their alternative crops suppresses weeds, improves irrigation for almond groves. soil structure, sequesters carbon and attracts beneficial insects and native pollinators. For As the Burroughs Family of Farms transitions to organic crop production, it also provides its fourth generation, they credit conservation nitrogen in lieu of chemical fertilizers. with buffering their diversified and thriving farms against the vagaries of climate change The symbiotic relationship of soil, grass and and water availability. As they work to animals is maximized on their three dairy farms replenish aquifers and improve ecosystem through rotational grazing. Pastures are quickly health, they are proud to promote the grazed then given three weeks of rest. When preservation of California’s farmland. Watch video of Burroughs Family of Farms cattle are responsible for “harvesting” their

Photos by Paolo Vescia Photos by Paolo own feed, costs of labor, equipment and fuel As they share their land ethic with their are reduced. The Burroughs rotate cattle and children and their customers, the Burroughs chickens through orchards at specific times consider themselves blessed to be Finalists Presented in of the year to graze on cover crops rather independent, yet collaborating with each Stemple Creek Ranch of Tomales Partnership with than mowing or using chemicals. Applying other to create something larger than they their nutrient-rich manure directly to the soil could have created on their own. is another benefit of this uncommon, but Philip Verwey Farms of Hanford innovative practice.

Leopold Conservation Award 7 Resiliency has defined Collins Ranch for placed in all water tanks. All water sources more than a century. Under the same are located uphill to prevent erosion in COLORADO family’s management, the ranch has meadows and riparian areas along creeks. weathered the Dust Bowl, crippling droughts, volatile commodity prices and Among their other innovative conservation COLLINS RANCH sizeable prairie fires. practices, the Johnsons released tens of thousands of beetles as a cost-effective KIT CARSON, COLORADO Today, the ranch’s fragile grassland and environmentally-friendly way to environment benefits from continued eradicate invasive and water-intensive stewardship provided by Toby and Amy tamarisk trees from riparian areas. They Johnson and their children: Brad, Haley, also work with Colorado Parks & Wildlife and Tess. and a hunting outfitter to sustain the strong population of deer on their ranch, and The Johnson’s cow-calf ranch on they defer grazing and mark barbed wire Colorado’s Eastern Plains consists mostly fences to protect lesser prairie-chicken leks. of shortgrass and sandsage prairie. The family believes they are grass farmers first Tucked away on Colorado’s Eastern Plains, and cattle ranchers second. They take Kit Carson (population 234) is what some pride in how well their grass grows in a s would call flyover country. That compels emi-arid region. the Johnsons to focus not only on the health of their ranch, but on the health of They know overgrazing during a drought, the community. or overstocking their herd when beef prices are high, could have devastating Amy is the chairperson of Kit Carson Rural consequences for this brittle rangeland. Development, a nonprofit that works to fill the gaps that exist in a community Transitioning to a rotational grazing system without a department of public health, from grazing an area all season long has public housing, hospital, day care and improved their soil’s health. Now each recreational center. Since 2006 the group pasture is grazed for less than a week has built the town’s only park and a before the land gets a minimum of 100 business incubator, cleaned up a massive days rest. Utilizing more, but smaller, brownfield site, and created affordable pastures protects against overgrazing, housing for teachers and local families, by allows for rapid range improvement, and leveraging more than $2.7 million in grants achieves optimal nutrition for cattle. and contributions. Likewise, Toby serves on By moving cattle to fields of corn stalks and the local school board, which successfully sought a grant to build a new school. Watch video of Collins Ranch wheat during the winter, native grasses

Photos by Sarah Dideriksen, Maggie Hanna, and Amy Johnson Photos by Sarah and riparian areas have been protected. The Johnsons are doing more than their Likewise, switching the herd’s calving part to keep this small town thriving so season from late winter to May also proved future generations will continue ranching Finalists Presented in Partnership with beneficial to the health of cattle and grass. and caring for Colorado’s landscape. LK Ranch of Meeker The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service assisted Collins Ranch with 35 May Ranch of Lamar miles of underground pipelines to widely distribute water for livestock and wildlife. More than 50 water sources have been Leopold replaced or installed, with bird ramps Conservation Award 9 Unconventional ranching on protected Symphony has performed on their ranch at prairie is how Josh and Gwen Hoy describe sundown to heighten appreciation of the KANSAS what they do on Flying W Ranch, a bison tallgrass prairie. and beef cattle ranch on the tallgrass prairie of the Kansas Flint Hills. Welcoming guests to the ranch is nothing FLYING W RANCH new for the Hoys. For years they’ve Their peers call them visionaries for how welcomed guests to experience cowboy CEDAR POINT, KANSAS they ranch in sync with nature, thanks to culture at the ranch. An authentic 1880s innovative conservation practices. chuck wagon and a professional kitchen offers guests everything from rustic fare Josh and Gwen brought their own deep to gourmet dining. This ‘guest ranching’ agricultural roots to create a productive agritourism business has allowed them to and sustainable business on 7,000 acres. reduce debt, acquire land, educate the The Hoys take pleasure in understanding public, and invest in conservation. With how livestock and wildlife can flourish while the COVID-19 public health crisis forcing improving soil health and water quality. them to stop hosting guests, they’ll refocus They are passing their intense awareness their efforts with more marketing of their and appreciation of the land to their sustainably-raised, grass-fed beef. daughter, Josie. Resilience is the real story of Flying W Ranch. After removing miles of fence within their ranch, they adopted an “instinctive Josh founded the ranch with his cousin migratory” grazing method for their Warren Kruse in 1996. Tragedy struck in livestock. It brings grass and forbs back to 2004 when Warren and his mother (Josh’s damaged areas, and protects riparian aunt) were killed in a plane crash. Hardship areas. In addition to grazing techniques, followed, as the unexpected loss set back they control woody and invasive plants by many of the projects they were working patch burning and mechanical removal, on. The conservation easements that were instead of herbicides. placed on the property are the result of many years of effort and a testament to An Audubon Bird Friendly Ranch label may Warren’s legacy and vision. soon appear on the Hoy’s beef to inform consumers that grazing practices were Late last year a wildfire spurred by high used that promote grassland stewardship. winds burned the Hoy’s home and business records. Starting over after such a loss once With conservation easements on all again felt daunting. However, they have land they own or manage, the Hoys’ preserved and are using conservation Watch video of Flying W Ranch impact extends beyond their ranch gate. principles while building their new house.

Photos by Dan Esaray, Colin McMillan, Johne Richardson Colin and Doug Stremel Esaray, Photos by Dan Collaboration with neighbors has put 4,000 contiguous acres of formerly-farmed Just as the tallgrass prairie has the natural ground in the Coyne Creek watershed back resiliency to come back after a controlled Finalists Presented in into native prairie or managed pasture. burn, it’s clear that whatever comes their Partnership with way, this family is committed to living their Vance and Louise Ehmke of Healy Their advocacy has included holding conservation ethic. unique events at the ranch. To promote Dwane Roth of Manhattan the ecological benefits of controlled burns they’ve hosted a meal, live music and wagon rides before guests watch Leopold an evening prairie burn. The Kansas City Conservation Award 11 Aldo Leopold observed, “The landscape of Whenever possible, Buddy schedules any farm is the owner’s portrait of himself.” hay harvesting and pasture mowing to accommodate wildlife nesting periods. Such James R. “Buddy” Smith has been painting efforts earned him the Kentucky Association his portrait on Kentucky’s Inner Bluegrass of Conservation Districts’ Outstanding JRS ANGUS FARM Region for more than 50 years. He and wife, Cooperator of the Year in 2017. Sandra, purchased a home and 189 acres in LAWRENCEBURG, KENTUCKY 1969. Acquiring three more tracts expanded Grass filter strips are used as buffers around their canvas to 385 acres near the border of pastures and hay fields. Buddy uses the no-till Anderson and Franklin counties. method of planting corn to reduce soil loss and compaction. By grazing standing field For 30 years Buddy would rise early to feed corn in the fall, cattle naturally re-distributed his beef cattle before leaving for his job as a on the field. Leaving corn residue on the fields transportation engineer in Frankfort. The Smiths reduces erosion during the winter. and their three daughters (Vicki, Annette and Julie) grew a tobacco crop on the weekends. With year-round grazing as a goal, hay is Today, working with his grandson Austin has usually needed for feeding fewer than 60 re-energized Buddy’s love of farming. days each winter. With assistance from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Much of his land is now pasture for their 100- Service, Buddy built a concrete pad where head purebred Angus cow-calf herd. Bull cattle are fed during the winter to protect soil and heifer calves are sold to other farmers. and water from erosion. Stored manure from Processed beef is sold directly to local families the winter feeding pad is applied each spring and at a farmers’ market. They sell hay from to reduce the amount of commercial fertilizer 30 acres of alfalfa to area horse farms, and needed for crops. grow about 5,000 pumpkins to be sold at a road-side stand. Diversification has been JRS Angus Farm serves as model for the important, but Buddy says the farm’s survival NRCS’s recommended practices on farm depends on passing his land ethic to the next productivity, manure management and no-till generation. seeding methods for grasses and legumes. Over the years Buddy has implemented Buddy credits attending the Cooperative conservation practices to reduce soil erosion Extension Service’s Master Series courses on and improve water quality. He developed a fencing and grazing for giving him the tools rotational grazing program with a watering to leave his land better than he found it. The system of pipeline to tanks instead of relying former student now makes his mark as the on ponds and streams. Cattle are moved teacher by mentoring young farmers, hosting Watch video of JRS Angus Farm to fresh pasture between 15 paddocks field days for landowners and lawmakers, and every three to four days. This system reduces serving on boards for a variety of agricultural overgrazing, builds soil organic matter, organizations. encourages greater plant biodiversity, and Finalists Presented in infiltrates more water making pastures more F.L. Sipes Farm of Ekron Partnership with drought-resistant.

Graskop Farm of Nonesuch

Leopold Conservation Award 13 Joshlin Yoder recalls his dad’s wise words that The Yoders take a long view when it comes advances in crop technology will only get you to agricultural conservation. That mindset also so far. A farm’s true potential comes in the applies to how they work with the people quality of the soil that seeds are planted into. they rent farmland from. Every acre they When Joshlin and his wife Addie left careers farm, whether owned or rented, has been JOSHLIN AND ADDIE YODER in Alabama and returned to the farm in 2008, grid sampled by precision ag specialists and they vowed to use conservation practices to agronomists. This helps them incorporate the LEONARD, MISSOURI make their land productive for their children. 4R concept of crop nutrient application (Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, and Right Place) Each growing season they evaluate how to to maximize the efficiency. The Yoders explain improve their farm with science, data and the grid’s detailed results and their conservation agricultural practices that improve soil and goals to the owners of the rented land. water quality. The Yoders raise beef cattle and grow 1,100 acres of corn, soybeans and hay. In addition to their landlords and fellow farmers, They pool labor and equipment with Joshlin’s the Yoders have a passion to advocate for father and brother who manage their own agriculture with consumers and legislators. farms as well. Addie shares their farm’s story through public speaking events, podcasts, radio and social To prevent soil erosion and reduce compaction media. As a U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance from tillage equipment, Joshlin has transitioned ambassador and CommonGround volunteer, to a no-till system on soybean fields, and is she has open conversations with non-farm experimenting on corn fields. Once skeptical women to bridge the communication gap on of how cover crops would work on his fields, he food issues and modern farming practices. now prefers seeding cereal rye into standing corn stalks. Rye’s actively growing root system One issue of concern to the Yoders is the helps hold soil in place during winter and spring mental health of farmers. The challenges of rains, and the added layer of biomass holds farming, including extreme weather, shrinking moisture during the summer. margins and low commodity prices due to trade policies and the pandemic, can The Yoders are participating in a five-year shake any farmer’s faith and take a toll on study of 120 Midwest farms conducted by the a marriage. As a certified life coach, Addie Soil Health Partnership (SHP). By gathering data encourages Joshlin to maintain a healthy from soil testing, weather monitoring and yield lifestyle, keep a positive outlook, and take time comparisons, SHP examines how cover crops away from the farm. impact soil health, crop yields and profitability. In addition to guiding their own decisions, the Just as they do on the land, the Yoders strive Yoders hope the results show other farmers the to strike the right balance. After all, a farm’s Watch video of Joshlin and Addie Yoder and family environmental and economic benefits of resiliency is not just what’s happening in the soil. cover crops.

Finalists Presented in Partnership with Cope Grass Farms of Truxton Tim and Rhonda Luther of Lawson Oetting Homestead Farms of Concordia Leopold Conservation Peter Rost Jr. of New Madrid Award 15 Craig and Conni French always priority for the French family. The return of considered themselves good land willow trees along the creek’s banks is a stewards, but six years ago things really sign their efforts are paying off. MONTANA began to change. They came to see their cattle ranch’s fate was tied to healthy The Frenches collaborate with federal soils and grasses. and state agencies, non-profits and C LAZY J LIVESTOCK other ranchers to achieve conservation Their introduction to holistic ranch success. MALTA, MONTANA management techniques called into question long-held, traditional ways Their voluntary 30-year conservation of thinking. The drastic changes that lease with Montana’s Fish, Wildlife, and followed required a leap of faith for the Parks ensures their land’s native grassland fourth-generation ranchers. They traded and sagebrush will remain uncultivated harvesting hay for grazing methods and undeveloped. Likewise, hunters are that let their cattle harvest the forage allowed access to their ranch’s thriving themselves. Such changes didn’t happen wildlife populations through enrollment in overnight, and each came with its own the state’s Block Management program. risk and learning curve. The Frenches have also agreed to sustain The use of cell grazing (a form of and improve habitat for four species rotational grazing that moves a large herd of imperiled grassland birds and sage- frequently to new pastures) allows more grouse, and have their numbers surveyed. recovery time for perennial vegetation to As long-time members of The Ranchers flourish on a semi-arid, brittle environment Stewardship Alliance, a rancher-led of short prairie grass. This results in better conservation group that aims to educate forage and wildlife habitat. within and outside the ranch community, The Frenches make decisions not just with the Frenches share their experience with their cattle herd’s health in mind, but also holistic management, cell grazing and the impact on soil, insects and wildlife. other innovative conservation practices. Temporary electric fence has replaced The Frenches, who farm with their three permanent fencing to reduce conflicts children, aren’t ones to rest on their with wildlife. Targeted grazing of non- laurels. They plan to treat 320 acres native grasses has improved habitat for of recently purchased farmland as a grassland birds and sage grouse. demonstration site for the soil health With assistance from the NRCS’s benefits of cover crops. As they steward Environmental Quality Incentives Program, a ranch homesteaded by Craig’s Watch video of C Lazy J Livestock they moved livestock water tanks and great grandfather in 1910, the Frenches Photos by Isaac Miller windbreaks away from a creek. Beaver understand the importance of passing on Creek flows through three miles of the a land ethic to the next generation. Finalist Presented in Partnership with ranch and its health is a conservation Pete and Meagan Lannan of Livingston

Leopold Conservation Award 17 Ed and Leta Olson epitomize what it Sewn with wildflowers, these plantings means to be a steward of the land. When benefit bees and butterflies, and they the Nebraska farmers were given a copy keep drivers safe during summer months NEBRASKA of A Sand County Almanac by a local when corn fields would otherwise limit wildlife biologist, they must have seen visibility. ED AND LETA OLSON themselves in its pages. They have planted about 4,000 trees and CRAIG, NEBRASKA Their land ethic is expressed by shrubs to create windbreaks, and provide implementing agricultural conservation food sources and corridors for wildlife. practices and connecting others with Such efforts earned them a Legacy Award nature. from Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2015. When many farmers were clearing trees and farming to their fence lines, the Off the farm, Ed has spent his entire Olsons were doing whatever they could to adulthood fostering conservation ethics create wildlife habitat, maintain soil health and a respect for the land among hunters and improve water quality. and farmers. He co-founded the Burt County Pheasants Forever chapter and Of the 815 acres they farm in eastern educates landowners on how to enhance Nebraska, 115 acres are enrolled in pheasant habitat by planting natural food conservation programs to create filter sources on abandoned farmsteads and strips, shelterbelts and pollinator habitat. fence lines. As owner of Olson Pearson The Olsons are firm believers that if every Auctions & Realty, he donates his time farmer took the least profitable 5-10 auctioneering at conservation events. percent of their farm and used it for conservation, then all farmers would make His strongest passion is sharing his more money while planting fewer acres. knowledge with youth. He teaches youth firearm safety and outdoor ethics as an “While he may not be the biggest farmer instructor for the Nebraska Game & Parks that we work with, he undoubtedly Hunter Education Program, and as a makes the largest impact,” said Andy volunteer with Pheasant Forever’s Youth Bohnenkamp, District Conservationist. Mentor Hunt. As a former 4-H wildlife Ed has adopted a variety of conservation habitat team leader he provided hands- practices to decrease erosion, protect on experience to youth building goose water quality and increase soil health. nests and wood duck boxes. Cover crops of grasses, small grains and Generations of local children have legumes are planted in the off-season to learned to fish in the Olson family pond. Watch video of Ed and Leta Olson increase the soil’s ability to hold water and The youth he first mentored in the 1990s sediment. No-till has been used on his corn are returning to fish with kids of their own. and soybean fields for more Presented in than 20 years. Terracing has made sloped Ed and Leta strive to keep their farm as farm fields more manageable. aligned as possible with nature, not only Partnership with to support local wildlife, but to create a In 2017 the Olsons were among the first vibrant landscape for the community landowners to participate in Nebraska’s to enjoy. Corners for Wildlife program that established one to three-acre plots of pollinator habitat at rural intersections. Leopold Conservation Award 19 Like Aldo Leopold, Linda Rinta sees herself wetlands and sandy areas. The grass is NEW ENGLAND as a “sand farmer.” used for restorations of sand dunes and other fragile coastal ecosystems. She’s a berry farmer and beekeeper with LINDA RINTA & THE RINTA FAMILY FARM a keen interest in the natural world. Her Linda not only farms with a conservation career, on and off the farm, has advanced ethic, but shows others how to do it. Part of WEST WAREHAM, MASSACHUSETTS the cause of conservation and cranberries. her farm business includes a conservation planning service. It helps other growers Linda brought a conservation ethic into her document their management practices marriage to a third-generation cranberry and those they plan to do to comply with grower, Paul Rinta. As cranberry farms environmental regulations. faced new environmental regulations in the 1980s, Linda returned to college to She’s at home in the cranberry bog study environmental science and public and in meetings with politicians and policy. She wanted to be part of the environmental leaders. When speaking change that was affecting their livelihood. with fellow farmers about the importance of providing pollinator habitat next to Since then, local, state and national cranberry bogs, she’s well aware of what it protections for wetlands have evolved. So takes to make a living off the land. has Linda’s role as a leader and advocate for conservation farming. Through her Two enormous challenges “hit our family work off the farm, and an elected post farm like a tornado in 2018,” according with the Plymouth County Conservation to Linda. District, Linda has spent 35 years educating others about how farmers can protect the “My husband, the manager of our farm, environment while using natural resources the man who could and did fix everything, to grow a crop. and supported and promoted all of my conservation efforts over the years, died Cranberry growing is dependent on without teaching us everything he knew,” available clean water and the ability to she said. store and move it efficiently. Water usage on her farm has been reduced through Linda says farming has never been for the a renovated irrigation system. In addition, faint of heart, but her husband’s death Linda’s efforts led to the adoption of two coupled with a steep drop in cranberry of the most critical cranberry water-use prices put the farm’s resilience to the test. conservation practices. Tailwater recovery One of their grown sons stepped up to ponds and bypass canals are now industry manage the cranberry bogs. Watch video of The Rinta Family Farm standards for efficient and conservation- Linda manages the property, grows focused cranberry farms. and sells beach grass and will continue conservation planning work. Above all else, Presented in Partnership with Linda raises honey bees and has planted acres of habitat for native bees and insect she embodies the Leopold land ethic with pollinators. She has sought innovative a commitment to responsible stewardship ways to locate pollinator habitat around for the cranberry country she loves. solar arrays and cranberry bogs, while protecting pollinators from pesticides.

She also grows Cape American Beach Leopold Grass as a nursery product on the farm’s Conservation Award 21 Sang Lee Farms is one of Suffolk County’s crops. Half to 75 percent of every field NEW YORK last large vegetable farms. Located in the is left uncultivated after each growing heart of Long Island’s wine country, it’s season. Longer rest periods can break a landmark for its beauty, uniqueness the repopulation of certain weeds while SANG LEE FARMS and diversity. restoring soil health. PECONIC, NEW YORK More than 100 varieties of specialty Strips of cover crops also provided habitat vegetables, including Chinese cabbages, for wildlife. Instead of using insecticide, the greens and radishes, are organically grown Lee family releases beneficial insects onto with a hybrid approach that mixes age- fields. Likewise, they encourage habitat for old mechanical cultivation with forward- helpful predators by hanging bat houses, thinking technology. barn owl boxes and bluebird houses. The farm’s management is transitioning Most of their irrigation has been upgraded from Fred Lee to his son William and his to a micro-drip system that conserves partner Lucy. The farm’s story began hundreds of thousands of gallons of water when Fred’s father and uncles began each growing season. raising produce to supply New York City’s Chinatown in the 1940s. They first farmed The Lees sell their produce and cut flowers elsewhere on Long Island. via local farmers markets, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, After the passing of some family members, direct consumer marketing, a farm website Fred moved his operations to Peconic in and a fully stocked farm stand. In their 1987. He found eastern Long Island offered on-site, certified organic kitchen, they a moderate climate with an extended produce a Sang Lee Farms line of dressings, growing season, and fertile, well-drained dips, pestos, jellies, pickles, cooking sauces, sandy loam soils. prepared salads, vegan soups and fermented vegetables. Some say the definition of organic farming is trial and error, success and failure. For Sang Lee Farms donates to local food more than 70 years, the Lees have strived banks and hosts field days to demonstrate to improve their farming and conservation the benefits of reduced tillage and practices with each growing season. composting. The Lees offer mentorship assistance and advice to new and small As early adopters of New York’s Agricultural farms on the successes and failures of Environmental Management program, organic practices and weed control. their creative use of cover crops has aided Watch video of Sang Lee Farms their quest for a better form of regenerative The hard-working people who make up

Photos courtesy of Sang Lee Farms Photos courtesy of Sang agriculture. It increases soil fertility, builds Sang Lee Farms respect the land, nature, organic matter, suppresses weeds and their employees, their neighbors, and their Finalists Presented in Partnership with eliminates erosion. While some growers community. What’s most notable is how question if cover crops are worth the the Lee family’s values are reflected in their Hemdale Farms and Greenhouses cost of their seed, the Lees have planted land stewardship. of Seneca Castle cover crops on narrow wheel tracks and between rows of vegetables and flowers. Honorone Farm of Canajoharie Each field at Sang Lee Farms is surrounded by a buffer zone of untilled cover Leopold Conservation Award 23 Kerry Dockter believes you’re never too old hatch. Frequent dialogue with the U.S. Fish to learn. and Wildlife Service, and allowing hunters access to their land, further shows regulators As a result, his family’s beef cattle ranch and the public the compatibility of grass- DOCKTER-JENSEN RANCH operates in a constant state of adaption based agriculture with vibrant wildlife and innovation thanks to his careful populations. DENHOFF, NORTH DAKOTA observation, openness to new perspectives, and ability to work with researchers and The Dockters have been able to increase nature. the stocking rate of their pastures, while protecting their soil thanks to embracing a After college, Kerry returned home to suite of conservation practices. The Dockters ranch with his parents Theo and Norma. have been able to increase the stocking In the four decades since, Kerry and his rate of their pastures while protecting wife Brenda have become land manage- their soil, thanks to a suite of conservation ment innovators. They’ve tested ways to practices they have embraced. Such efforts enhance wildlife and pollinator habitat earned the family the Sheridan County Soil while improving the ranch’s bottom line. Conservation Achievement Award in 1994. Utilizing cattle to improve the land for future generations is a practice they’ve come to Much of the ranch’s native grassland and know well. wetlands are permanently protected by conservation easements that ensure future The Dockters never lost sight of the fact access for grass-based agricultural uses. that native grasslands are the backbone of their grazing operation. As a result, they Dockter Ranch changed its name to developed rotational grazing systems Dockter-Jensen Ranch when one of their to promote a diversity of native grasses. three daughters, Kristi and her husband Kyle They’ve extended the grazing season while Jensen, moved back to help, learn and producing forage for the winter. Longer someday take over the ranch. The family’s recovery periods between grazings allows concern for their land and community the grass to stimulate root development is genuine, as they have served on local while sequestering carbon. school boards, township boards, fire departments and agricultural organizations. When few ranchers in North Dakota were willing to try fire as a management tool, the Dockters used prescribed burns to enhance wildlife and pollinator habitat thanks to a strong working relationship with The Nature Watch video of Dockter-Jensen Ranch Conservancy. The ranch sits in the heart of the Missouri Coteau (mixed-grass prairie) “Duck Factory” Presented in of Sheridan County. They’ve collaborated Partnership with with the North Dakota State University and other researchers to demonstrate the compatibility of cattle grazing with waterfowl and grassland bird production. Haying now occurs after mid-July to allow grassland-nesting birds the time needed to Leopold Conservation Award 25 “I can remember when I was a boy, my trees is creating quality wildlife habitat and a grandfather showed me an eroding field new income stream. with muddy water running off the land. Then he showed me a field protected by grass, Grant has reduced soil erosion from wind THE VICTOR RANCH and how clean the water was coming off of and water by combining cover crops with it,” recalls Grant Victor. “That was the start of no-till farming practices since the 1980s. AFTON, OKLAHOMA my conservation training.” With 3,000 acres enrolled in the USDA’s Conservation Stewardship Program, brush Grant and his wife Donna are passing a management and herbaceous weed land ethic of voluntary conservation to their control have helped improve wildlife habitat three sons. They know healthy soils store across the ranch. With technical and more moisture for plants, and a continuous financial assistance from the Environmental cover of native vegetation helps protect Quality Incentive Program, the Victors have Oklahoma’s water. converted 600 acres of highly erodible cropland to pasture. The Victors raise 900 head of beef cattle on 2,500 acres, and grow wheat, oats, Through rotational grazing, their beef cattle soybeans, grain sorghum and corn on herd mimics the natural patterns of bison, another 1,200 acres. On what was once which graze intensely and move on quickly. tribal land, their ranch was established as a The cattle benefit the prairie ecosystem result of the Dawes Act in 1892. by stimulating plant growth, pressing seeds into the soil with their hooves, and providing Grant’s grandfather, James Victor was one natural fertilizers with their waste. Moving of the first landowner cooperators with cattle around the ranch is possible thanks to Ottawa County’s Conservation District in the installation of 15 water tanks and 20,000 1946. Grant serves on the same board of feet of pipeline that diverts excess water directors today, and is dedicated to serving from a pond dam. The Victors also manage those who protect and conserve natural their calving season to coincide with natural resources. His commitment to improving forage availability. water and air for those downstream and downwind is unmatched. It’s their appreciation of the symbiotic relationship between agricultural production Victor Ranch hosts water and soil quality and natural resources that earned Victor research projects and agricultural Ranch national recognition from the educational events. Its diverse landscape National Endowment for Soil & Water is home to native pecan groves, grasslands Conservation in 1986. All these years later and Little Horse Creek, which feeds into they still believe, “If you listen to the land, it Watch video of The Victor Ranch Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees. To preserve will tell you what it needs.”

Photos by Dustin Mielke, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Photos by Dustin Mielke, Oklahoma Farm the creek and watershed’s health, the Victors installed more than 27,000 feet of Fortunately for Oklahoma’s natural fencing around 178 acres of riparian area. resources, the Victors are still listening. Presented in Partnership with Expanding the pecan orchards with new

Leopold Conservation Award 27 The Peckman family produces milk, but their Penn State Extension took notice of the PENNSYLVANIA dairy farm’s foundation is its soil. great infiltration that cover crops and continuous no-till were providing his fields. Its Slate Ridge Dairy Farm is located on researchers conducted an experiment that SLATE RIDGE DAIRY FARM shallow shale-based soils in a less- applied three inches of simulated rainfall to productive area of Franklin County, in his land that showed zero runoff. ST. THOMAS, PENNSYLVANIA south central Pennsylvania. Years ago, Ben Peckman discovered he could protect The Peckmans partnered again with Penn the environment and grow quality feed State Extension to study soil health benefits by working with the land’s natural systems of grazing cover crops. Their dairy herd is instead of against them. not grazed, but that didn’t stop them from fencing in some cropland, planting cover Ben was an early adopter of no-till crops and buying some beef steers to farming and cover crops. Both practices conduct the research. Again, this was more help reduce the amount of nutrient and about the soil than the cattle. sediment runoff reaching the Chesapeake Bay. They also improve his shallow, drought- Another innovation the Peckmans invested prone soil’s productivity and water-holding in is a methane digester. The farm uses capacity. about a third of the energy it produces from their herd’s manure, with the rest sold to their However, being out front when it came electric utility’s power grid. It’s an example to conservation practices wasn’t always of how the farm achieves sustainability and easy. Despite the potential benefits, profitability with assistance from grants and new practices are often misunderstood cost-share programs. Solar panels, pollinator by others, and run the risk of negatively plots, manure storage facilities and a silage affecting a farm’s appearance. leachate collection system have also been Ben was the only farmer in Franklin County installed at Slate Ridge Dairy Farm. who wanted to use Penn State Extension’s Not only was Ben a believer in regenerative crop roller when he began experimenting agriculture before it was trendy, but he’s put with cover crops. He liked the results and his beliefs into action. Crop scouting and never looked back. His corn planter is now research plots can verify that his fields are equipped with a custom-made roller that functioning as a living organism. allows him to “plant green” into a living cover crop with one pass of the tractor. The Peckmans invite the conservation community to use their farm for events Ben also saw that leaving cover crops and demonstrations so other farmers can Watch video of Slate Ridge Dairy Farm unharvested could increase the soil’s learn from their efforts to improve the

Photos by Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Bureau Farm Photos by Pennsylvania organic matter, reduce erosion, retain landscape. Aside from their passionate drive nutrients and provide year-round food to innovate, it’s their willingness to mentor for beneficial insects and microscopic others that sets them apart from others. Finalists Presented in organisms. Brubaker Farms of Mount Joy Partnership with

Glen Kauffman of Millerstown

Leopold Conservation Award 29 “Leave it better than you found it” is more innovative conservation practice they’ve SOUTH DAKOTA than a familiar motto. It describes the land adopted during drought to protect pasture ethic that drives this South Dakota cattle productivity is weaning calves early and BLAIR BROTHERS ANGUS RANCH ranching family. selling older cows. Brothers Ed and Rich Blair, and their sons When the Blairs bought a second ranch in STURGIS, SOUTH DAKOTA Chad and Britton are the namesakes of neighboring Butte County in 2014 to bring Blair Brothers Angus Ranch. The cow-calf, the next generation into the business, they stocker and feed lot business spans 40,000 quickly added eight miles of cross fencing, acres of deeded and leased rangeland 30,000 gallons of water storage, 23 miles near the Black Hills of western South Dakota. of water pipeline and 50 water tanks to Embracing conservation practices that implement rotational grazing. Working with enhance soil, water, livestock and wildlife the NRCS and wildlife conservationists from has allowed the ranch to evolve and the Sage Grouse Initiative, they established grow with each generation since Enos Blair a grazing plan that promotes mating and established it more than a century ago. nesting habitat for one of South Dakota’s largest populations of Greater Sage Grouse. Today, in addition to providing leadership to livestock and general agriculture A pilot project with state researchers organizations, the family has formed working established a cutting-edge vegetative partnerships with local, state and national treatment area next to their feed lot instead agencies and organizations to learn new of a traditional manure lagoon. Its success conservation practices. convinced state regulators to allow other farms and ranches to utilize this practice. In an area that receives an average of just 14 inches of annual rainfall, the Blairs know By maintaining relationships with that overgrazing would be detrimental to conservation and wildlife professionals, their the soil, plants, livestock, wildlife, watershed improvements have benefitted habitat for and economics of their ranch. By coupling deer, antelope, insect pollinators, pheasants rotational grazing, cover crops and no- and 17 other species of nesting birds. till practices on cropland, the Blairs have improved water infiltration and soil health. The human side to the ranch’s overall sustainability includes creating a succession As early adopters of rotational grazing in plan, diversifying ranch assets, and sharing the 1980s, the Blairs rotated heifers through knowledge with the next generation and 700 acres divided into small pastures. They other ranchers. As a result of their dedication Watch video of Blair Brothers quickly saw an increase in their rangeland’s to conservation over the past four decades, Angus Ranch resilience, especially during times of the Blairs have seen their ranch change,

Photos by Dede Long and Bill Krzyzanowski Photography and Bill Krzyzanowski Photos by Dede Long drought. Miles of water pipelines were grow and thrive. installed to expand the benefits of rotational grazing. Shelterbelts were established in Most importantly, they know that they are Presented in pastures, and more than 800 cropland leaving things better for the next generation. Partnership with acres were planted back to grass. Another

Leopold Conservation Award 31 Growing a resilient landscape in the Water is moved through 30 miles of pipeline Wasatch Mountains requires adaptation to from six solar pumps to holding tanks and UTAH drought, fire and flood. troughs across the ranch. Thanks to the land ethic and workmanship In addition to their 2,700-acre ranch, HALF CIRCLE CROSS RANCH of the Pace family, conservation practices the Paces lease, manage and graze are benefitting the soil, water, livestock and cattle on tens of thousands of acres COALVILLE, UTAH wildlife at their Half Circle Cross Ranch. elsewhere, including 12,000 acres across Davis, Salt Lake and Tooele counties. In pursuit of ecological resilience, the Paces These properties are critical wetlands partnered with state and federal agencies and uplands within the Great Salt Lake in designing and executing conservation ecosystem. The Paces also manage a plans that improve water quality, soil health, 70,000-acre Cooperative Management rangeland conditions and wildlife habitat on Wildlife Unit in cooperation with the Utah their owned and leased land. Department of Wildlife Resources. Colby Pace is a third-generation cattle On 20,000 acres owned by The Nature rancher who raises beef cattle with his Conservancy, the Paces are demonstrating wife McKenzie, and their sons McCoy and how managed grazing of riparian areas McKayson. His forward-thinking approach can remove invasive Phragmites. The to livestock and wildlife management absence of this non-native plant opens up means getting creative with how beef important nesting and migrating habitat for cattle are grazed. birds. The Nature Conservancy considers the A rotational grazing program has tripled partnership a model of success that shows the forage production on their pastures, what ranching and conservation working while eliminating the negative impacts of together can achieve. over-grazing by giving grass ample time to As president of the Summit Soil Conservation rest. The grazing intensity and schedule is District, Colby often shares how his no- managed in a way that reduces noxious till cropping system has reduced water weeds and increases the nesting density for runoff and soil erosion. Half Circle Cross waterfowl and shore birds. Ranch hosts tours for Utah legislators to Rotational grazing works best when drinking demonstrate how grant funding has water is available at multiple locations. improved grazing management, ranch With financial and technical assistance profitability and rural development. Such from the Utah Department of Agriculture efforts previously earned Colby the Utah Society for Range Management’s Rancher Watch video of Half Circle Cross Ranch and Food, and the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Paces are of the Year Award. harnessing solar energy to make it happen. Finalists Presented in Myrin Ranch of Altamont Partnership with

Yardley Cattle Company of Beaver

Leopold Conservation Award 33 John and Melissa’s conservation story is one of hosted many fields days and lunch-and-learn innovation and ingenuity. events to motivate other landowners to adopt WISCONSIN conservation practices. Their farm’s heavy clay soils were often wet during the spring planting season, dry by The Erons manage soil moisture and health JOHN AND MELISSA ERON summer, and wet again by fall. John devised a through the use cover crops and no-till common sense (though untested) plan: he’d planting. They are growing fewer row crops by STEVENS POINT, WISCONSIN capture and store runoff water and use it later experimenting with raising alternative forages to irrigate crops. for area dairy farmers. This is another way to keep their fields in a continuous cover to After researching his idea, he got to work. prevent soil loss. John bought and renovated used excavation and irrigation equipment, a skill he’d learned Field corners and other hard-to-farm areas are from his father. He dug a series of strategically planted with native wildflowers and grasses to placed ponds in partnership with the Portage create pollinator and wildlife habitat. The Erons County Land Conservation Department, have worked with their county’s conservation Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, staff to develop a program that educates and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Drain tiles youth about native plants and the importance were directed to the ponds. Any flooding from of pollinators. They understand that the future the ponds is directed via pipes to a woodchip of agriculture must consider the environment, bioreactor to remove nutrients. and future agriculturalists must be educated about it today. John excavates sediment deposits in the ponds and recycles those nutrients back onto his John serves as the appointed Weed Commis- fields, which reduces his need for fertilizer while sioner for Portage and Wood counties, where boosting yields and profitability. The positive he works with local and regional stake-holders results have prompted the Erons to install similar to combat wild parsnip and other land- water and nutrient recycling systems on other based invasive species. He also serves on the farms they’ve acquired. local school board and chairs the planning commission in his township. The Erons, who This “closed system” the Erons created protects diversified their business by converting a former Mill Creek. This Wisconsin River tributary that dairy barn into an event venue for weddings runs through their farm has long been on a list and other gatherings, are parents to two of phosphorus-impaired waters. As president of young children. the Farmers of Mill Creek Watershed Council, John leads farmer-led efforts to promote Their land ethic is expressed through their farming practices that ensure clean water and dedication to responsible land management, Watch video of John and Melissa Eron healthy soils. The council has accessed grants agricultural sustainability, education and to fund on-farm research and installation of outreach, innovation, and advocacy for buffer strips next to the creek. The Erons have constructive change. Finalists Presented in Mike Berg of Blanchardville Partnership with Charlie Hammer and Nancy Kavazanjian of Beaver Dam Wisconsin Farm Bureau® Brian Maliszewski of Independence Leopold Conservation Award John and Dorothy Priske of Fall River 35 THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS PARTNERS AND SPONSORS: Association of Missouri Electric Montana Grazing Lands U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Cooperatives Conservation Initiative World Wildlife Fund – MFA, Inc. Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Northern Great Plains Program CALIFORNIA KANSAS AgriBusiness Association Missouri Cattlemen’s Association Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Green Cover Seed American Farmland Trust American Farmland Trust of Kentucky Missouri Corn Society for Range Management, Merchandising Council Northern Great Plains Section NEW ENGLAND California Farm Kansas Association of Farm Credit Mid-America Bureau Federation Conservation Districts Kentucky Cattlemen’s Missouri Department Soil and Water American Farmland Trust of Conservation Conservation Society Sustainable Conservation Ranchland Trust of Kansas Association American Farmland Trust – New Missouri Association of Soil and The Wildlife Society of Montana England Chapter The Harvey L. & Evergy Kentucky Corn Growers Association Water Conservation Districts New England Forestry Foundation Maud C. Sorensen Foundation Farm Credit Associations Missouri Soil and Water Farm Credit of Kansas Kentucky Department NEBRASKA Wildlands & Woodlands of Agriculture Conservation Program The Nature Conservancy ITC Great Plains American Farmland Trust David and Ann Ingram Kentucky Department McDonald’s in California Kansas Department of Alliance for the Future of Farm Credit East of Fish & Wildlife Resources The Nature Conservancy California LCA Agriculture’s Division of Agriculture in Nebraska Yale School of the Environment in Missouri Recipient Alumni Conservation Kentucky Farm Cargill Bureau Federation Whole Foods Market McDonald’s Kansas Department of Wildlife, Nebraska Environmental Trust Kentucky Pork Producers MONTANA Parks and Tourism Farm Credit Services of America NEW YORK COLORADO Kansas Forest Service Kentucky Soybean American Farmland Trust (In partnership with Agricultural Promotion Board Audubon Nebraska American Farmland Trust McDonald’s Office of Governor Steve Bullock Environmental Management) Kentucky Tree Farm Committee Lyle Sittler Memorial Fund Montana Department of Natural American Farmland Trust Colorado Cattlemen’s The Nature Conservancy McDonald’s Association in Kansas Kentucky Woodland Resources & Conservation Cornell Cooperative Extension Owner’s Association Nebraska Department Montana Rangeland Resources Colorado Cattlemen’s USDA NRCS of Agriculture New York State Department of Agricultural Land Trust University of Kentucky, Committee Agriculture and Markets A past Kansas LCA recipient College of Agriculture, Nebraska Land Trust Montana Department of Tri-State Generation & Food and Environment The Ida and Robert Gordon Transmission Association Agriculture Nebraska Game and Family Foundation KENTUCKY Parks Commission USDA NRCS Northwest Farm Credit Services Gotham Bar & Grill American Farmland Trust MISSOURI Rainwater Basin Joint Venture The Stanko Ranch Sibanye Stillwater Farm Credit East Kentucky Agricultural Council American Farmland Trust Sandhills Task Force American AgCredit USDA NRCS New York State Agribusiness Kentucky Association of Tri-State Generation & Missouri Farmers Care Foundation World Wildlife Fund Association McDonald’s Conservation Districts Transmission Association Missouri Soybean Merchandising The Bird Conservancy McDonald’s USDA NRCS Kentucky State University, Council USDA NRCS of the Rockies Montana Farm Bureau College of Agriculture, Missouri Soybean Association Federation The Nature Conservancy Community, and the Sciences, in Colorado and Land Grant Program USDA NRCS USDA NRCS

NORTH DAKOTA North Dakota Department PENNSYLVANIA USDA NRCS WISCONSIN American Farmland Trust of Environmental Quality American Farmland Trust Audubon Dakota American Farmland Trust American Farmland Trust North Dakota Grazing Lands North Dakota Partners for Fish The Heinz Endowments Bad River Ranches Texas Parks & Wildlife Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and Wildlife Coalition Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Belle Fourche River Lee and Ramona Bass Wisconsin Farm Bureau North Dakota Association North Dakota Natural Watershed Partnership Federation Resources Trust USDA NRCS The Cynthia & George Mitchell of Soil Conservation Districts Daybreak Ranch Foundation Compeer Financial Pheasants Forever Pennsylvania Association of North Dakota Stockmen’s Conservation Districts Ducks Unlimited Dixon Water Foundation Culver’s Association Roughrider Electric Cooperative Pennsylvania Department of Kopriva Angus LLC of McDonald’s McDonald’s Starion Bank Slope Electric Cooperative Agriculture Raymond, South Dakota USDA NRCS North Dakota Game and Fish The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy in McDonald’s UTAH We Energies Foundation APEX Clean Energy in North Dakota Pennsylvania Millborn Seeds, Inc. American Farmland Trust Wisconsin Corn Audubon Dakota The Wildlife Society of North Dakota North Central SARE - Utah Farm Bureau Federation Growers Association Basin Electric SOUTH DAKOTA Sustainable Agriculture USDA NRCS Western AgCredit Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board Power Cooperative American Farmland Trust Research & Education Utah Cattlemen’s Association Wisconsin Land and Water Burleigh County Soil South Dakota Cattlemen’s Pheasants Forever Conservation Association Conservation District OKLAHOMA Association Professional Alliance Producers Livestock Marketing Association Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable ConocoPhillips American Farmland Trust South Dakota Grasslands South Dakota Association of Growers Association Cow Chip Ranch ITC Great Plains Coalition Conservation Districts The Nature Conservancy in Utah Delta Waterfowl Noble Research Institute First Dakota National Bank South Dakota Soil Health Coalition Utah Association of Ducks Unlimited Oklahoma Cattlemen’s South Dakota Department of Conservation Districts Emmons County Soil Association Agriculture The Nature Conservancy in South Dakota Utah Department of Conservation District Oklahoma Conservation South Dakota Department Agriculture and Food KEM Electric Cooperative Commission of Environment and Natural Todd Mortenson Family Resources - Discovery Center Utah Wool Growers Association McDonald’s Oklahoma Farm Bureau U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Foundation for Agriculture South Dakota Department Partners for Fish & Wildlife Mor-Gran-Sou Electric USDA NRCS of Game, Fish & Parks Wagner Land & Livestock Cooperative McDonald’s South Dakota Farm Bureau Federation Oklahoma State University South Dakota State University, Oklahoma Association of College of Agriculture, Food Conservation Districts and Environmental Sciences

PAST RECIPIENTS: 2010 2013 KANSAS 2013 2015 Montna Farms Visintainer Sheep Co. Sherwood Acres Farms Shaw Family Farms Al Montna Dean and Gary 2019 Jon and Sylvia Bednarski Shaw Family Visintainer Ted Alexander CALIFORNIA 2009 2014 2018 2019 Red Rock Ranch 2012 MISSOURI Pelster Angus Ranch John Diener Wineinger-Davis Ranch Hoeme Family Farm and Ranch Pelster Family Rominger Brothers Famrs Stacy and Chaston Hoeme 2019 Bruce and Rick Rominger Russell and Tricia Davis 2008 Brinker Farms 2013 Three Creeks Ranch 2011 2017 Kenny and Susan Brinker Family Beel Ranch 2018 Lazy VJ Farms Lundberg Family Farms Chet Vogt Pipe Springs Ranch Beel Family McEndree Family The Vorhees Family 2018 2007 Scherder Farms 2012 2017 2016 John and Sandy Scherder Thomson Sierra Orchards 2010 Shovel Dot Ranch Craig and Julie Stanko Ranch 2S Land & Cattle Buell Family International, Inc. Randy and Nicole Small 2017 C. Jeff Thompson McNamara Jim and Jo Stanko Uptown Farms 2011 2015 Matt and Kate Lambert 2016 2006 2009 RGM Corporation Lange Twins Wine Estates Mesa De Maya Ranch Sproul Ranch Mathewson Family Lone Star Ranch Sproul Family Mark and Dina Moore Brad and Randy Lange John and Carolyn Doherty MONTANA 2010 2008 Kalkowski Family Ranches 2015 KENTUCKY 2019 Prather Ranch Coleman Ranch Kalkowski Family COLORADO Milton Ranch Jim and Mary Rickert Jim, Frances, 2019 Bill and Dana Milton Tim and Teddi Coleman 2009 2019 Dr. James W. Middleton 2014 Bluestem Valley Farms The Livingston Ranch Lyle and Alice Sittler, Full Belly Farm 2007 2018 NEBRASKA Mike and Julie Livingston Kristen and Todd Eggerling Andrew Brait, Paul Muller, San Isabel Ranch Trunnell Family Farm Mike and Sara Shields, Judith Redmond and Dru Rivers 2018 Edward (Myrel) 2019 Bet Kettle 2008 Beatty Canyon Ranch and Shirley Trunnell Broken Box Ranch 2013 Russ and Angela Sundstrom Calf Creek and Steve and Joy Wooten Family 4-0 Ranches Point Reyes Farmstead 2006 2017 Bohart Ranch A.B. Cox Cheese Co. 2017 Tallow Creek Farm 2018 Dick, Sandra and Bob, Karen, Diana, Rancho Largo Cattle Co. Harry and Karen Pelle RuJoDen Ranch Lynn and Jill Giacomini Nate Tanner Jim and Lora O’Rourke Family 2007 Grady Grissom Christen Ranch 2016 2005 Rod and Amy Christen 2012 2016 Turner Family Farms 2017 McNeil Ranch Giacomazzi Dairy Stacked Lazy 3 Ranch Mark and June Turner K & W Farms Dino and Julie Mike and Cathy McNeil Kurt and Wayne Kaup 2006 Keven and Sandi Turecek Wilson Ranch Giacomazzi 2015 2004 Blaine and Bryan Wilson 2015 West Wind Farm 2016 Rusk Hereford Ranch 2011 Flying Diamond Ranch Charlie Williams Plum Thicket Farms Koopmann Ranch Randy and Claricy Rusk Rex and Nancy Peterson Johnson Family Tim Koopmann 2014 2003 2014 Springhill Farms Capps Ranch Turkey Creek Ranch Peery Family Frankie and Sue Menegatti Walker Family

NEW ENGLAND PENNSYLVANIA 2012 2013 UTAH 2010 2014 2014 Kopriva Angus Buckhollow and Della Ranches Herricks Dairy Farm Ladder Ranch 2019 2019 Kopriva Family Stockard-Sirianni 2019 Tanner Family Jack and Pat Herricks O’Toole Family Hull Forest Products Mt-Glen Farms Ranches JY Ferry & Son, Inc. Family Bill Hull Dean and Rebecca 2011 Jack and Jan Cato John, Ben and 2009 2013 Jackson Mortenson Ranch Joel Ferry Tavaputs Ranch 2013 Padlock Ranch Mortenson Family 2012 Butch and Cates Family Farm Wayne and Judy NORTH DAKOTA 2018 Cook’s Branch 2018 Jeanie Jensen Dick and Kim Cates Fahsholtz and the Scott Harvest Home Farms 2010 Conservancy Ercanbrack Livestock Family 2019 The DiFebo Family Doud Ranch Mitchell Family Ed and Dixie 2008 2012 Goven Ranch Rick and Marlis Doud Ercanbrack Family Johnson Ranch Hebbe Family Farm 2012 Gene and Christine SOUTH DAKOTA 2011 Darrell and Carol Jim and Val Hebbe Sommers Ranch Goven Temple Ranch 2017 Johnson Sommers Family 2019 Buddy and Ellen Temple Circle Bar Ranch 2011 2018 Johnson Farms TEXAS Fred Thurston 2007 Koepke Farms Inc. 2011 The Wilson Family Farm Alan, Mickie, Brian and 2019 2010 Harold Selman, Inc. Koepke Family Fieldgrove Ranch Jeremy and Jamie Johnson Killam Duval Anderson Ranch 2016 Fred and Laura Selman Ryan and Teresa Sarah Wilson County Ranch Jim Bill Anderson Jerrold Richins Ranch 2010 Fieldgrove 2018 David Killam Jerrold Richins Bragger Family Dairy 2017 Cammack Ranch 2009 Joe and Noel Bragger 2010 Miller Ranch Gary and WISCONSIN 2018 Selah, Bamberger 2015 7E Ranch Ken and Bonnie Miller Amy Cammack Laborcitas Creek Ranch Ranch Preserve W.F. Goring & Son, Inc. 2019 2008 Ron and Linda Heward Berdon and J. David Bamberger Goring Family Lake Family Farms Terry Peters Logging 2016 2017 Rolanette Lawrence Jeff Lake Terry Peters 2009 Black Leg Ranch Blue Bell Ranch 2008 2014 Foy Ranch Jerry and Renae Doan Hamann Family 2017 Llano Springs Ranch Johnson Mountain 2018 2006 Rocky and Nancy Foy Dixon Water Foundation Vandivier Family Ranch LLC Gold Star Dairy Gerry Mich 2016 Robert Potts Johnson Family David Geiser 2008 OKLAHOMA Cronin Farms 2007 Pape Ranch Mike and Monty Cronin 2013 2019 2016 77 Ranch 2017 Norm and Barbara Blue Mountain Peak Gary and Sue Price H.A. Farms Brickstead Dairy Pape The Chuck and Ruth 2015 Ranch Stowell Family Dan Brick and Family 2017 Coffey Family Jorgensen Land and Richard Taylor 2006 Garrett Ranch 2007 Cattle Partnership Treadwell Brady Ranch 2012 2016 Pete and Ethel Garrett Golden Willow Ranch 2018 Jorgensen Family Heaton Livestock Jackson Farms 2015 John and Brian Brooks Farms Paul and Catherine Company 2016 Russ and Jani Jackson The Bigwoods on the Treadwell Brooks Family Kukowski 2014 Trinity Heaton Family SR Cattle Company Rock Hills Ranch Kane Family 2017 Dr. Robert McFarlane 2005 2015 2006 Perman Family 2011 Emmons Farm Richards Ranch Meuer Farm Barlow Livestock, Inc. Red Pine Land 2015 Jimmy and Ginger 2014 John and Brent Hackley David and Leslie Meuer Glenn and Joy Barlow 2013 and Livestock King Ranch Emmons Winston 8 Ranch Family Guptill Angus Winston Family Osguthorpe Family Eisele Family Guptill Family

“It is the individual farmer who must weave the greater part of the rug on which America stands.”

– Aldo Leopold Conservationist, landowner and author of A Sand County Almanac

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