Leopold Conservation Award

2018 YEAR IN REVIEW

1 • Sand County Foundation • 2018 Year in Review The California Leopold Conservation Award The Kansas Leopold Conservation Award is made possible through the generous 2018 Award is made possible through the generous 2018 Award support and partnership of: Leopold Lundberg Family Farms support and partnership of: Hoeme Family Farm and Ranch Leopold Conservation Richvale, California Leopold Scott City, Kansas Award Conservation Conservation Award In his influential book, A Sand County Almanac, InAward his influential book, A Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold called for an ethical relationship Aldo Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and between2018 people Award and the land they own and manage. The development of a land ethic was, he manage.Beatty The development Canyon of a land Ranch ethic was, he wrote, “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological wrote, “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological necessity.” A land ethic is alive and well today in necessity.”Kim, A land ethic is alive and well today in the thousands of American farmers, ranchers and Leopold the thousands of American farmers, ranchers and Ducks Unlimited foresters who do well by their land and do well for foresters who do well by their land and do well for American AgCredit ITC their land. their land. Farm Credit West Westar Energy Sand County Foundation proudly presents Sand County Foundation proudly presents Clean Line Energy Partners the Leopold Conservation Award to a private The Harvey L. & Maud S. Sorensen the Leopold Conservation Award to a private Foundation landowner who exemplifies the spirit of this land Conservation landowner who exemplifies the spirit of this land Kansas Department of Agriculture’s ethic - an individual or a family dedicated to leaving The Nature Conservancy ethic - an individual or a family dedicated to leaving Division of Conservation their land better than how they found it. their land better than how they found it. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism California LCA Recipient Alumni In California, Sand County Foundation presents the In Kansas, Sand County Foundation presents the Kansas Forest Service Leopold Conservation Award in partnership with Leopold Conservation Award in partnership with USDA-NRCS the Kansas Association of Conservation Distrcits Award Sustainable Conservation and the California Farm The Nature Conservancy Bureau Federation. The award recipient receives an and Ranchland Trust of Kansas. The award recipient Aldo Leopold crystal and $10,000. receives an Aldo Leopold crystal and $10,000.

Leopold Conservation Awards recognize Leopold Conservation Awards recognize extraordinary achievement in voluntary extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation, inspire other landowners through conservation, inspire other landowners through Photo by Paolo Vescia their example, and help the general public their example, and help the general public understand the vital role private landowners can understand the vital role private landowners can Sand County Foundation inspires and enables a growing Presented by Sand County Foundation is a non-profit conservation and do play in conservation success. number of private landowners to ethically manage natural Sand Countyand Foundationdo play in conservation success. resources in their care, so future generations have clean Presented by Sand County Foundation in partnership with organization dedicated to working with private landowners Presented by Sand County Foundation and abundant water, healthy soil to support agriculture and in partnership with Sustainable Conservation and Colorado Cattlemen’s Association across North America to advance ethical and scientifically in partnership with Kansas Association of sound land management practices that benefit the forestry, plentiful habitat for wildlife and opportunities for California Farm Bureau Federation Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust, Conservation Districts and Ranchland Trust of Kansas outdoor recreation. environment. Visit sandcountyfoundation.org. and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Inc. Photo by Russ Schnitzer

Kansas 2018 Brochure DRAFT-mc-pheasant.indd 1 10/23/18 3:51 PM CA 2018 Brochure.indd 1 11/13/18 9:29 AM CO 2018 Brochure.indd 1 6/4/18 1:49 PM he farmers, ranchers and foresters who own and manage the majority of land in the

2018The Missouri Award Leopold Conservation Award 2018 Award 2018 Award Leopold is made possible through the generous United States hold the keys to meaningful environmental improvement. Sand County Trunnellsupport Family and partnership Farm of: Leopold Scherder Farms RuJoDen Ranch Conservation Utica, Kentucky Leopold Award Conservation Frankford, Missouri Conservation The O’Rourke Family Award Award Chadron, Nebraska Foundation inspires and enables private landowners to exercise their individual In his influential book, A Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage. The development of a land ethic was, he responsibility to ethically manage the natural resources in their care. wrote, “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological necessity.” A land ethic is alive and well today in the thousands of American farmers, ranchers and foresters who do well by their land and do well for T their land.

Sand County Foundation proudly presents the Leopold Conservation Award to a private landowner who exemplifies the spirit of this land In his book, A Sand County Almanac, renowned conservationist, landowner and scientist ethic - an individual or a family dedicated to leaving Missouri Cattlemen’s Association their land better than how they found it. Missouri Corn Merchandising Council In Missouri, Sand County Foundation presents Missouri Department of Conservation Aldo Leopold wrote, “the landscape of any farm is the owner’s portrait of himself.” Sand the Leopold Conservation Award in partnership with Missouri Farmers Care, Missouri Soybean MFA, Inc. Merchandising Council, and USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service. The award recipient receives Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award Program recognizes farmers, ranchers, an Aldo Leopold crystal and $10,000. Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Leopold Conservation Awards recognize extraordinary achievement in voluntary Missouri Soil and Water Conservation Program conservation, inspire other landowners through Presented by foresters and other landowners committed to improving natural resources while they produce The Nature Conservancy in Missouri Sand County Foundation their example, and help the general public Presented by in partnership with understand the vital role private landowners can Sand County Foundation Sand County Foundation inspires and enables a growing number Presented by Sand County Foundation Nebraska Cattlemen in partnershipand withdo play in conservation success. of private landowners to ethically manage natural resources in in partnership with Missouri Farmers Care, Cargill their care, so future generations have clean and abundant water, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, The Nebraska Environmental Trust Kentucky Agricultural Council and healthy soil to support agriculture and forestry, plentiful habitat for food and fiber. Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts wildlife and opportunities for outdoor recreation. and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska

NE 2018 Brochure DRAFT.indd 1 4/12/18 5:00 PM

KY Brochure.indd 1 6/29/18 4:52 PM Working with partners and sponsors, Sand County Foundation presents the $10,000 award The Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award is made possible through the generous The Leopold Conservation Award support and partnership of: Leopold is made possible through the generous 2018 Award Leopold 2018 Award Conservation support and partnership of: Jackson Farms Conservation The DiFebo Family Award in settings that showcase the landowner’s conservation successes. Mountain View, Oklahoma In his influential book, A Sand County Almanac, Award Harvest Home Farms In his influential book, A Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold called for an ethical relationship Bangor, Pennsylvania Aldo Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and between people and the land they own and manage. The development of a land ethic was, he manage. The development of a land ethic was, wrote, “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological he wrote, “an evolutionary possibility and an necessity.” A land ethic is alive and well today in ecological necessity.” A land ethic is alive and the thousands of American farmers, ranchers and well today in the thousands of American farmers, The award makes an impact by publicly recognizing extraordinary achievement in voluntary foresters who do well by their land and do well for ranchers and foresters who do well by their land their land. and do well for their land. Sand County Foundation proudly presents Sand County Foundation proudly presents the Leopold Conservation Award to a private conservation, inspiring other landowners representing millions of acres, and influencing the the Leopold Conservation Award to a private landowner who exemplifies the spirit of this land landowner who exemplifies the spirit of this land ethic - an individual or a family dedicated to ethic - an individual or a family dedicated to leaving leaving their land better than how they found it. their land better than how they found it. USDA NRCS general public’s understanding of the importance of private working lands in conservation. In Oklahoma, Sand County Foundation In Pennsylvania, Sand County Foundation presents Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture presents the Leopold Conservation Award in the Leopold Conservation Award in partnership partnership with the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s with Heinz Endowments and the Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Association on Conservation Districts Association, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation Farm Bureau. The award recipient receives an Aldo for Agriculture, ITC Holdings Corp., and Noble Leopold crystal and $10,000. Center for Dairy Excellence Research Institute. The Leopold Conservation Award recipient receives an Aldo Leopold crystal Leopold Conservation Awards recognize Dairymen’s Association extraordinary achievement in voluntary and $10,000. Oklahoma State University conservation, inspire other landowners through Their compelling stories become the basis for an active public information program that Leopold Conservation Awards recognize Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts their example, and help the general public extraordinary achievement in voluntary understand the vital role private landowners can conservation, inspire other landowners through USDA - NRCS Presented by Sand County Foundation inspires and enables a growing and do play in conservation success. Sand County Foundation number of private landowners to ethically manage Presented by their example and help the general public Sand County Foundation inspires and enables a growing number Presented by Sand County Foundation in partnership with Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, natural resources in their care, so future generations 2018 Award Sand County Foundation recognizes the environmental accomplishments of working farms, ranches and forests. These understand the vital role private landowners can of private landowners to ethically manage natural resources in have clean and abundant water, healthy soil to support in partnership with Heinz Endowments and their care, so future generations have clean and abundant water, in partnership with and do play in conservation success. Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, agriculture and forestry, plentiful habitat for wildlife and Cammack Ranch healthy soil to support agriculture and forestry, plentiful habitat for Pennsylvania Farm Bureau South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association ITC Holdings Corp., and Noble Research Institute opportunitiesPhotos by Dustin for outdoor Mielke, Oklahoma recreation. Farm Bureau Union Center, South Dakota wildlife and opportunities for outdoor recreation. and South Dakota Grassland Coalition

PA 2018 Brochure.indd 1 11/13/18 11:06 AM landowners truly encompass the American dream of creating a successful business while Oklahoma Brochure 2018.indd 1 1/4/19 8:57 AM SD Brochure.indd 1 7/5/18 11:55 AM managing natural resources for the benefit of this and future generations. 2018 Award The Utah Leopold Conservation Award The Wisconsin2018 Leopold Award Conservation Award is made possible through the generous is made possible through the generous David Geiser - Gold Star Dairy Leopold support and partnership of: Ercanbracksupport and Livestock partnership of: Leopold Leopold New Holstein, Wisconsin Conservation Conservation Coalville, Utah Conservation Award Award Award In his influential book, A Sand County Almanac, In his influential book, A Sand County Almanac, Sand County Foundation and its many partners and sponsors actively seek others to become Aldo2018 Leopold calledAward for an ethical relationship Aldo Leopold called for an ethical relationship betweenLaborcitas people and the Creekland they own Ranch and between people and the land they own and manage. The development of a land ethic was, he manage.Falfurrias, The development Texas of a land ethic was, he wrote, “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological wrote, “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological part of this important story. An award program of this stature could not exist without quality necessity.” A land ethic is alive and well today in necessity.” A land ethic is alive and well today in the thousands of American farmers, ranchers and the thousands of American farmers, ranchers and foresters who do well by their land and do well for foresters who do well by their land and do well for Compeer Financial their land. their land. American Transmission Company landowner nominees and contributions both large and small. Sand County Foundation proudly presents Sand County Foundation proudly presents We Energies Foundation the Leopold Conservation Award to a private the Leopold Conservation Award to a private landowner who exemplifies the spirit of this land landowner who exemplifies the spirit of this land USDA-NRCS Producers Livestock Marketing Association ethic - an individual or a family dedicated to leaving ethic - an individual or a family dedicated to leaving Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board their land better than how they found it. The Nature Conservancy their land better than how they found it. Utah Association of Conservation Districts Wisconsin Corn Growers Association In Utah, Sand County Foundation presents the In Wisconsin, Sand County Foundation presents Utah Department of Agriculture and Food Leopold Conservation Award in partnership with the Leopold Conservation Award in partnership Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board Utah Wool Growers Association with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Dairy To learn more, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org and contact Lance Irving at the Utah Farm Bureau, Western AgCredit, and Wisconsin Potato & Farmers of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Land and Utah Cattlemen’s Association. The award recipient Vegetable Growers Association receives an Aldo Leopold crystal and $10,000. Water Conservation Association. The award recipient receives an Aldo Leopold crystal and $10,000. Leopold Conservation Awards recognize 608.663.4605 x:27 or [email protected] extraordinary achievement in voluntary Leopold Conservation Awards recognize conservation, inspire other landowners through extraordinary achievement in voluntary their example, and help the general public conservation, inspire other landowners through their example, and help the general public understand the vital role private landowners can Sand County Foundation inspires and enables a growing Presented by Sand County Foundation and do play in conservation success. number of private landowners to ethically manage natural understand the vital role private landowners can Sand County Foundation is a non-profit conservation Presented by Presented by Sand County Foundation organization dedicated to working with private landowners in partnership with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, resources in their care, so future generations have clean and do play in conservation success. Sand County Foundation and abundant water, healthy soil to support agriculture and in partnership with Utah Farm Bureau Federation, across North America to advance ethical and scientifically Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Land and Water in partnership with forestry, plentiful habitat for wildlife and opportunities for Western AgCredit, and Utah Cattlemen’s Association. sound land management practices that benefit the Conservation Association Texas Parks & Wildlife outdoor recreation. environment. Visit sandcountyfoundation.org. Cover: North Dakota Leopold Conservation Award recipients: The Wilson Family Wilson The Cover: North recipients: Conservation Dakota Leopold Award

TX 2018 Brochure.indd 1 5/9/18 10:34 AM UT 2018 Brochure.indd 1 Wisconsin 2018 Brochure DRAFT-mc.indd 1 11/1/18 10:56 AM 10/22/18 10:45 AM

2 • Sand County Foundation • 2018 Year in Review 3 he Leopold Conservation Award is not just a plaque that you hang on the wall. It is accepting the responsibility to continue to spread the word, and share the things that you’ve learned over the years. Share the knowledge, the “Tsuccesses and the failures.” Dear Friends,

The quote above from Gary Cammack, one of our 2018 Leopold Conservation Award recipients, captures the land ethic concept that Aldo Leopold wrote about in A Sand County Almanac.

A land ethic is the deeply held belief that guides the daily actions of farmers, ranchers and foresters to do the right thing for land health.

Each award recipient’s land ethic is evident in the health of the soil, water and wildlife on their land, but also in the vibrancy and profitability of their business. The stories in this Year in Review reflect that cycle of mutual benefits.

Many of the farmers and ranchers we interact with are quick to say it was simple necessity that drove them to adopt practical, common-sense conservation actions. They don’t seek the spotlight and don’t want to be viewed as an outlier. Instead, they want to be seen as part of a movement by America’s farmers and ranchers to strengthen soil health, improve water quality and benefit wildlife.

Or as Gary Cammack aptly puts it, “leaving it better than they found it.”

This balancing act of simultaneously achieving economic and environmental success is what Sand County Foundation has been about for more than 50 years. The growing Leopold Conservation Award Program continues to be our most effective vehicle for conveying that message. Last year we expanded the program’s reach eastward to Pennsylvania. 2019 will bring more new states into the fold.

Your support will deepen the impact of the award program in existing states and fund its expansion. 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 Leopold

Conservation Mitch by KezarPhoto Award 4 • Sand County Foundation • 2018 Year in Review 5 “We see the ground, the land, the soil as a living organism. It’s something that needs to be cared for.” – Jessica Lundberg

CALIFORNIALundberg Family Farms Richvale, California The Lundberg family’s commitment to Not burning the rice straw and planting agricultural conservation can be traced back to cover crops also provides habitat for millions the ravages of the Dust Bowl. of migrating waterfowl to rest, feed and rear their young each winter. When Albert and Frances Lundberg moved from Nebraska to California’s fertile Since the 1980s, the Lundbergs have rescued Sacramento Valley to grow rice in 1937, they duck eggs ahead of the rice harvest. In did not forget the short-sighted farming partnership with wildlife conservation groups, techniques and poor soil management they the eggs are collected, the ducklings are saw along the way. They impressed upon their raised in hatcheries, banded with California four sons the importance of respecting the Department of Fish and Game tags, and delicate balance of nature and promoting soil released back into safe habitats. These efforts health with crop rotations and cover cropping. have saved more than 30,000 ducks.

As a result, they began to grow rice in an Lundberg Family Farms demonstrates its unconventional way. By the 1960s, the stewardship in other ways as well. The family Lundberg brothers saw the need to become received a platinum-level certification from their own processor, and sell their rice the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council for directly to consumers. Today, the third and diverting the majority of their agricultural fourth generations of Lundbergs embrace waste from landfills. In addition, energy needs the family’s conservation heritage of using for farm and processing facilities come from agricultural practices to protect soil, air, solar power generated on the farm, or are and water. purchased from renewable sources.

The family has pioneered stewardship The Lundbergs’ work to encourage water practices such as flooding fields rather than conservation, rotate crops, grow cover crops, burning them to break down rice straw after and use natural methods for pest control, have Photos by Paolo Vescia Watch video of Lundberg Family Farms harvest. Since the 1960s, the Lundbergs have made them a leader in organic rice production found this practice builds soil organic matter and wildlife-friendly farming. These while improving air quality. By working techniques are shared with others through with university researchers, they have helped farm tours. Presented in Partnership with inform fellow growers of this practice, particularly after the burning of rice straw was limited by law. Leopold Conservation Award 6 • Sand County Foundation • 2018 Year in Review 7 “Humans can’t eat this grass. There’s no way we can feed starving people off of this grass, but we can run cattle across it. So we upcycle a non-edible product (and it) becomes a high quality, high nutritional product with beef.” – Steve Wooten, 2018 Leopold Conservation Award recipient COLORADOBeatty Canyon Ranch Kim, Colorado Beatty Canyon Ranch shines at doing right Miles of pipeline now provide water to tanks by the land, water, livestock and wildlife amid distributed throughout the ranch. Each tank is the grandeur of southeastern Colorado’s equipped with animal escape devices to prevent canyon landscape. wildlife death or injury. Steve and Joy Wooten, along with their A hunting enterprise has generated additional daughter and son-in-law, Arin and Brady ranch revenue since 1990. It allows hunting of Burnham, and daughter and son-in-law, Niki whitetail and , antelope, and Rusty Henard, produce high quality beef elk, , quail, bear, mountain lion by grazing a herd of Red Angus cattle through and other predators. numerous pastures that divide the Las Animas County ranch. The Wootens later created the Purgatoire Wildlife Ranch, LLC with two other ranch The Wooten Family, now in its 5th and 6th families to improve hunting throughout the generations, frequently opens their home and region. Fifteen families with high conservation ranch to tours to advance awareness about values were invited to join the effort that allows modern ranching and farming practices, selected state residents to hunt on large swaths and share their focus on being outstanding of private ranchland. land stewards. Each member of the family is an industry spokesperson on topics such as This arrangement has produced a significant grazing practices, treatment for invasive species, financial impact to the community. It also beef production issues, wildlife and natural provides an opportunity to share the importance resource management, and family finance and of agriculture’s role in short grass prairie succession plans. ecosystems of the short grass prairie. Most hunting guests had no previous knowledge of Steve and Joy completed a conservation the diversity of Las Animas County’s unique easement that helped the Beatty Canyon landscapes, ecosystems, communities, and wildlife. Ranch plan for the future and ensure that the Photos by Russ Schnitzer next generation had a place to return to. Neighbor, friend, and fellow rancher, Grady Watch video of Beatty Canyon Ranch Grissom noted that “Steve and Joy’s land ethic The family has taken steps to combat an is in their DNA. They are generational ranchers explosion and spread of Pinyon and Juniper who understand, respect, and honor their trees on soils better suited for a native grassland heritage while also embracing adaptation ecosystem. For decades, the Wootens added and innovation.” Presented in Partnership with windmills and stock ponds, worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to Leopold install solar and submersible pumps. Conservation Award 8 • Sand County Foundation • 2018 Year in Review 9 “As farmers and ranchers I believe that we are stewards of this ground that we’ve been put in charge of. We’re stewards of the wildlife, stewards of all the species that depend upon that soil for life.” –Chaston Hoeme, 2018 Leopold Conservation Award recipient KANSASHoeme Family Farm and Ranch Scott City, Kansas For more than 40 years the Hoeme family The many insights gained on their land have has been on the cutting edge of conservation influenced how government, conservation practices that help their farm’s profitability, soil partners, and other landowners manage the health, water quality and wildlife habitat. landscape for wildlife. Stacy Hoeme and his son, Chaston, farm The Hoemes were among western Kansas’ first about 10,000 acres along the Smoky Hill River ranches to fence off ponds to protect water in western Kansas. For decades the Hoemes quality and use solar power to pump water for have used limited tillage and crop rotation to their livestock. They manage many food plots promote soil health and manage water usage. for deer, pheasants, quail and migrating song birds. In times of deep snow, the grain left Their land ethic involves strategies that far standing may be their only easily accessed food exceed those suggested by state and federal for miles. conservation programs. A frequent host for a variety of educational The Hoemes developed a cattle grazing tours, the Hoemes have also stepped into program that recognizes that prairies require political activism for agriculture and wildlife. grazing and rest periods to maintain their Another act of dedication to preserving the natural productivity. The diverse collection of fragile, prairie environment found in Kansas is plants on their pastures supports some of the the family’s on-going plan to place their ranch largest known populations and densities of the in a conservation easement. lesser prairie chicken. Such efforts are the reasons why Stacy has twice Their land was the focal point of the largest been honored as Conservationist of the Year by study ever conducted on lesser prairie chickens. the Kansas Wildlife Federation. His land ethic It was just one way the family has been is undeniable. Thousands of acres of perfect supportive of research on the rare bird. prairie as designed by Mother Nature exist due The Hoemes also participated in a large to decades of diligence by the Hoeme family. Photos by Tucker Boyd and Michael Pearce Watch video of Hoeme Family Farm and Ranch research project that sought to learn why the mule deer was in long-term decline. Separately, when biologists from the Brule Sioux Reservation in South Dakota wanted to re-establish swift foxes on tribal lands, they captured, transported and released about 12 Presented in Partnership with swift foxes from the Hoeme’s land. Leopold Conservation Award 10 • Sand County Foundation • 2018 Year in Review 11 “Some land had washed, and a thought and doubt was put in my mind. In 20 years if this keeps going like we’re going, would there be top soil for anyone to raise a crop? And that’s still with me.” –Edward (Myrel) Trunnell, 2018 Leopold Conservation Award recipient KENTUCKYTrunnell Family Farm Utica, Kentucky Achieving soil health through the use of no- The cost of farming has also been reduced till farming and cover crops is nothing new to by the use of soil testing and precision Edward (Myrel) Trunnell, who began farming farming technology. Trunnell believes that more than six decades ago. Conservation is crops can be produced more efficiently, synonymous with his idea of farming. natural resources can be preserved, and the environment can be protected using On the no-till scene, Trunnell was an early agriculture’s technological advances. adopter. He rented a planter from Production Credit Association in 1970 to save soil. He After his son Kevin joined the farm business in bought his own the next year and never 1990, the family diversified the farm by growing looked back. Today 98 percent of the 1,400 fruits and vegetables. They established Trunnell acres he owns, and 500 acres he custom farms Farm Market and Fun-Acres, an agritourism is no-tilled. business that provides entertainment and educational opportunities to the public. Not tilling the soil results in less soil compaction, fewer carbon emissions, and In addition to grass waterways and border strips, requires less machinery which reduces the Trunnells have constructed hundreds of operating costs. control basins and diversion structures. These actions have provided benefits to soil and water The former tobacco grower even worked with quality. Substantial wooded areas on the farm the University of Kentucky to design a no-till provide wildlife habitat. tobacco planter. Today he grows corn, wheat, hay, soybeans, pumpkins, fruits and vegetables Myrel and Shirley Trunnell live on the same at Trunnell Family Farm. farm that he was born on. His grandfather bought the farm in 1889. Shortly after Beyond no-till, Trunnell uses cover crops graduating from high school, Myrel began to avoid what he calls ‘liquid soil’ that flows farming full-time and later bought the farm to creeks during large rain events. Cover from his father, Gilbert, in 1978. Photos by USDA-NRCS of Kentucky crops help build up organic matter in soil, Watch video of Trunnell Family Farm feed microorganisms, break up compaction, A Soil Health Ambassador in Kentucky, scavenge nutrients for future crops, shade out Trunnell serves on the Daviess County weeds, and provide food for wildlife. Conservation District board. He received its Master Conservationist Award and A rotation of crops breaks disease and pest Presented in Partnership with the Kentucky No-till Hero Award cycles, and a soybean-to-corn rotation reduces in 2007. his costs and need for nitrogen application. Leopold Conservation Award 12 • Sand County Foundation • 2018 Year in Review 13 “The land that we have, there’s no way to replace it. You can help it or you can hurt it. I feel it’s our responsibility to make it better than what it was when we got it.” –John Scherder, 2018 Leopold Conservation Award recipient MISSOURIScherder Farms Frankford, Missouri John and Sandy Scherder farm in the Peno Other conservation practices include Creek watershed. It’s a special place where constructing grass waterways, terraces, and fresh water pours from natural springs in caves sediment basin structures. A field’s soil and nestled on picturesque bluffs. The Scherders are location determine whether no-till, minimal or driven by a passion to ensure their farmland and precision tillage practices are used. natural surroundings coexist today, and thrive for future generations. To raise their cattle, the Scherders established a rotational grazing paddock system. In addition “In my 20 years in the conservation field, I to fencing off streams and ponds from the cattle, have not met a producer more dedicated to a spring was rehabilitated in cooperation with conservation,” said Chris Williamson of the the Missouri Department of Conservation to Missouri Department of Conservation. improve fish and wildlife habitat. Their farms feature more than 150 acres of food plots and John Scherder grew up a farm kid and earned field borders of native vegetation to attract quail, an animal husbandry degree. He returned to his turkey, deer, pollinator insects and butterflies. hometown to farm with Sandy’s father. John and Sandy acquired more land after taking over Off the farm, the Scherders have been active her family’s farm. Today they farm with their in the formation and development of the Peno daughter, Holly, and son-in-law, Curtis, growing Creek Partnership. The goal of this farmer-led corn, soybeans, wheat and hay, and raising a herd watershed initiative is to inform other farmers of 225 beef cattle. and landowners on the importance of cover crops, rotational grazing systems, agricultural The Scherders work with local, state and federal conservation practices and the ecological agencies to implement conservation practices importance of the watershed to the Mississippi that preserve and create wildlife habitat, and River. As a result, more than 2,000 additional promote the soil’s health and productivity while acres of cover crops were planted by reducing erosion. 42 landowners. One practice that achieves all of these goals is John and Sandy represented Missouri in Photos by Kari Asbury Watch video of Scherder Farms planting cover crops to complement their corn, the five-state Watershed Leaders Network soybean and wheat production. Cover crops like developed by the Fishers and Farmers cereal rye, crimson clover, oats, millet and tillage Partnership in 2016. radish, work double duty as a conservation tool and as feed for their cattle (either grazed or The Scherders exemplify what a conservation Presented in Partnership with baled). The Scherder’s innovation when it comes mindset can accomplish on a farm. to cover crop mixes, seeding methods, and crop rotations have been the focus of farm tours Leopold hosted with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Award 14 • Sand County Foundation • 2018 Year in Review Conservation Service. 15 “When you consider that 50 percent of the Earth’s land surface is composed of rangelands, that’s a tremendous carbon sink. It’s really got to be managed as importantly as our rainforests.” –Jim O’Rourke, 2018 Leopold Conservation Award recipient NEBRASKARuJoDen Ranch, The O’Rourke Family Chadron, Nebraska Jim O’Rourke’s grandparents, Frank and Jerene, By experimenting with over 90 species, windbreaks became the second family to steward this land were established that will produce hardwood along the Pine Ridge south of Chadron in timber, increase food supplies for wildlife, provide northwestern Nebraska in 1950. A sign they erosion control, and boost plant diversity. erected, which reads, “O’Rourke - RuJoDen Ranch - Wildlife Habitat,” reflects the family’s Prescribed burns, implemented to improve rangeland commitment to a land conservation ethic. health and increase forage quality for livestock, were conducted with the help of Chadron State College Jim and Lora’s influences are as much global as range management students. In many ways the ranch local. Lora worked her way from the rangelands is a natural resource classroom. of Utah to the Pine Ridge of Nebraska as a professional rangeland management specialist. The ranch is managed under a short duration, high Jim implemented range projects in Africa intensity livestock grazing system with innovative before returning home to work as a professor at fencing and watering systems that benefit livestock Chadron State College where he developed the and wildlife. On average, pastures are grazed 10 days Range Management Program. They share their per year allowing for improved rangeland health and love and knowledge of natural resources through livestock weight gains. active educational tours and demonstrations on The O’Rourke family realizes that the increasing their ranch. number of smaller acreage ranches need to be Previously cultivated fields have been seeded diversified to be sustainable and have implemented with perennial grasses to stabilize and rebuild beekeeping, pasture raised poultry, deer and soil health. turkey hunting, a horse-motel and an agritourism endeavor. Guests have the opportunity to stay in Grazing management along the riparian areas historic sheep herder wagons and hunt, fish, hike or of Chadron Creek, which bisects the ranch, simply “un-plug” from the modern world. has resulted in a multi-age class of hardwoods as well as increased tree and shrub diversity, ideal for Through multiple generations, the O’Rourke a variety of wildlife. Stable banks, overhangs and family continues to carry on a traditional land Photos courtesy of Lora O’Rourke Watch video of RuJoDen Ranch shady, cool water provides for good fish habitat. ethic guided by a wisdom that all systems are connected and must work together to achieve Invasive cedar trees were removed from the true land conservation. riparian areas and uplands to further improve wildlife habitat. Presented in Partnership with The ponderosa pine forest was thinned to improve tree health and reduce fuel loads, which Leopold proved effective in saving the majority of the Conservation timber stand during a 2012 wildfire. Award 16 • Sand County Foundation • 2018 Year in Review 17

“I’ve come to the realization that I’m only here temporarily, and the soil has been here long before me and will be here forever. It’s perpetual. I can either destroy it, or build it, and I’ve chosen to build it.” –Jeremy Wilson, 2018 Leopold Conservation Award recipient NORTHThe Wilson Family Farm DAKOTA Jamestown, North Dakota Described by some as “pioneers” when it comes Stutsman County Soil Conservation District, to demonstrating the importance of soil health, includes holding public tours on conservation Jeremy and Sarah Wilson are showing that practices and cropping systems. conservation can improve a farm’s profits while improving the land’s productivity. Their public outreach has extended to constructing a Heritage Room in their home. By mimicking nature with a diverse, Complete with professional grade audio/ regenerative, no-till cropping system, the video equipment, the space allows them to Wilsons are building soil structure and their show visitors what happens on their farm farm’s resilience to survive changes in weather throughout the year, and not just on the day and commodity markets. of their visit. Business and political leaders, scientists and journalists from around the Better soil health means fewer costly inputs are globe have visited their farm to learn the value needed to grow crops. For the Wilsons, it also of what they are doing. means their customers have a product grown with fewer chemicals, fertilizers and fuel. All For more than 20 years, the Wilsons of this is gained while maintaining yields and have been outstanding spokespersons and protecting soils that were previously susceptible advocates for conservation agriculture. Jeremy to wind and water erosion. was selected as a “Soil Health Champion” by the National Soil Conservation Association of Cover crops are tailored for a specific purpose Conservation Districts. and site. Winter rye is grown to address the soil’s salt content, a serious resource concern in The Wilsons donate three acres of sweet corn North Dakota’s glaciated region. Rye also helps annually to the Great Plains Food Bank. cycle and scavenge nutrients, keeping them That equals more than 27,600 meals of fresh from leaching away and becoming a pollutant. produce to those in need. It’s another example Other cover crops help break up compacted of how through conservation practices and soil. This allows excessive rain to infiltrate stewardship, the Wilsons have provided the soil rather than running off. The stored benefits that go far beyond their farm gate. Photos courtesy of the Wilson Family Watch video of moisture reduces stress on crops during times Sarah Wilson says every farm is as unique as The Wilson Family Farm of drought. a thumb print. As the fourth generation of Efforts to seed cover crops by aircraft Wilsons to farm this piece of North Dakota, and modified planters have been noticed they are certainly making their mark. Presented in Partnership with and replicated by neighbors. The Wilsons’ willingness to collaborate and share what conservation can do for the land has had a Leopold positive ripple effect across multiple states. Conservation Award 18 • Sand County Foundation • 2018 Year in Review Their long history of working with the 19 “The cattle love the cover crops. Not only are you feeding your cows well, but you’re helping your soil. I really think the future is bright in this part of the country for these grazing cover crops, and cover cropping in general.” –Russ Jackson, 2018 Leopold Conservation Award recipient OKLAHOMAJackson Farms Mountain View, Oklahoma As third generation ranchers, Russ and Adding milo, sesame and cowpeas to their Jani Jackson understand the importance of rotation of cotton, wheat, corn and soybeans producing food and fiber in a way that works gave their soil year-round nourishment from with nature, not against it. a variety of root types and nutrients. The soil’s organic matter increased dramatically between Their ranch is located on prairie at the base 2015 and 2017, allowing it to hold more of the Wichita Mountains, in a region known moisture between rains. A nearly constant for hot summers, high winds, and increasingly crop canopy also provides habitat for small limited, but intense rainfalls. They realized animals, insects and pollinators. conservation practices were needed on their highly erodible soils to preserve the ranch for The Jackson’s diversified ranch was more the next generation. profitable and better for the natural resources on the land, while requiring less labor. Despite The Jacksons began converting their cropland all this progress, they felt something was acres to a no-till system about a decade still missing. ago. The crop residue on the land provided increased habitat for wildlife. They soon They noted the ranch’s landscape was once noticed improved soil health, and reduced native prairie that was home to herds of bison. wind and water erosion. The switch to no-till The land benefited when bison intensively also reduced their fuel and labor costs. grazed an area before moving on and gave the grass a chance to rebound. The Jacksons Developing a conservation plan with the knew that, when managed properly, cattle can Natural Resources Conservation Service stimulate the same plant growth. Grazing allowed them to access the Environmental cattle press seeds into the soil with their Quality Incentive Program. That federal hooves, and spread their waste on the land as a program’s positive impacts convinced them natural fertilizer. So, last year, they introduced to enter the Conservation Stewardship a herd of about 200 beef cattle to graze the Program in 2011. Its goals included brush ranch’s grassland and crop fields. It’s the management, prescribed grazing plans and Photos by Dustin Mielke latest example of their efforts to benefit the Watch video of planting cover crops. ecosystem by mimicking its natural processes. Jackson Farms The Jacksons found that planting canola as The result is a ranch that is productive, a cover crop helped suppress weeds in wheat profitable and regenerative. fields, and it could be planted with equipment they already owned. Wheat yields increased Presented in Partnership with the following year. It was a watershed moment for Russ, who wondered if adding more crop Leopold diversity would spur further productivity. Conservation Award 20 • Sand County Foundation • 2018 Year in Review 21 “We took highly erodible land and put it into pasture, created a lot of biodiversity, better drainage, better soil structure, less runoff.” –Richard DiFebo, 2018 Leopold Conservation Award recipient PENNSYLVANIAThe DiFebo Family, Harvest Home Farms Bangor, Pennsylvania A passion for conservation has earned Harvest Introducing diverse vegetation, rotational grazing Home Farms the first Leopold Conservation and less soil compaction improved the soil’s biology Award in Pennsylvania. and its ability to absorb water. The rejuvenated land could support more cattle without negative Richard DiFebo initially saw the former dairy farm environmental impacts. as a hobby in the 1990s. If the family farm was to be passed down to his children someday, he knew it The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation was his turn to implement sustainable conservation Service assisted with improved fencing and farm practices that would benefit its soil and water. lanes. The Department of Energy provided funding for a solar-powered watering system. Preventing Richard’s career in the lawn care business had cattle from walking to a centralized water tank equipped him with an extensive knowledge of ensured even distribution of nutrients on the land. grasses and soil. While researching the health benefits of grass-fed beef, he realized specializing in After accepting help for conservation projects on a niche market would fetch premium prices. Done his farm, Richard collaborated with a local school right, grazing beef cattle would also restore the district and the Martin’s Jacoby Watershed to share farm’s soil. his knowledge with others. He convinced the school district to transform an abandoned tree farm into Highly-erodible, conventional corn and soybean pasture. The site now features an outdoor classroom fields were planted with permanent grasses to that promotes the benefits of grazing and other provide pasture and reduce erosion. Assistance from conservation practices. Ducks Unlimited fenced off streams and ponds so cattle would not erode the banks. Over time, 175 The roots of Harvest Home Farms trace back to acres were divided into 70 grazing paddocks. A when Dohl’s great-grandfather, Elton Ott, purchased rotation system would allow for long rest periods 100 acres in the northeast corner of Northampton between each grazing. Another 130 acres grow hay, County in 1930. Its proximity to New York City was and 30 acres grow non-traditional, diverse forages a benefit as Elton’s son, Budd, began dairy farming in the 1940s. Today, the DiFebos have created a Photos courtesy of USDA-NRCS of Pennsylvania like sorghum, oats and crimson clover. Watch video of The DiFebo Family following for their beef in several states. The farm’s After graduating from college, Richard’s son Dohl website educates consumers on the benefits of grass- returned to the farm as a partner. Together, they fed beef and agricultural conservation. established a diverse cropping system with cover More than a motto, “healthy soil, clean air and water, Presented in Partnership with crops. Contour strips and grass waterways were installed, and a desolate shale pit was reclaimed healthy cattle, healthy people” appears so it could support plant growth and eventually to be the Harvest Home Farms’ be pastured. pathway to the future. Leopold Conservation Award 22 • Sand County Foundation • 2018 Year in Review 23 “The Leopold Conservation Award is not just a plaque that you hang on the wall. It is accepting the responsibility to continue to spread the word, and share the things that you’ve learned over the years. Share the knowledge, the successes and the failures.” –South Dakota State Sen. Gary Cammack, SOUTHCammack Ranch DAKOTA 2018 Leopold Conservation Award recipient Union Center, South Dakota With its commitment to conservation, Cammack Their other innovations include a bale processor Ranch is a place where soil, grass, cattle, wildlife that cuts hay shorter. It’s better for cattle and a family legacy all thrive. consumption and they waste less of it. Long, discarded stems can also kill grass. When harvesting As newlyweds, Gary and Amy Cammack dreamed hay, they use a driving pattern that allows wildlife of owning a ranch. Both natives of the Union to flush and escape. Center area, they purchased 320 acres of hay ground in 1978. By 1984 they bought the 927 acres “Our belief is that the health of range and the of rangeland in Meade County that would become vitality of the wildlife population is a barometer of their ‘home place.’ Last year’s purchase of 1,000 how well you’ll do in the ranching business,” said acres in Wyoming grew their ranch to 11,000 acres. Gary Cammack, a fourth-generation cattle rancher.

Their land sustains 600 beef cow-calf pairs. Soil “The effects of our conservation efforts, or lack health, water infiltration, grass growth and beef thereof, will be evident 100 years from now,” said production have benefitted from practicing Gary, who serves as a South Dakota State Senator rotational grazing. The Cammacks installed 20 and chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee. “A miles of cross-fencing and more than 25 miles of person can pass all the regulations you want, but if water pipeline to make this work. With an eye on the conservation ethic is not instilled in the land enhancing efficiency, they utilize crossbreeding managers or owners, it isn’t going to matter how within their herd and moved their calving season many regulations you have.” to later in the spring to better match their resources with what Mother Nature provides. “We believe the term ‘environmentalist’ has been hijacked from the people involved in agriculture,” For winter cover on the range, they’ve constructed he added. “No one cares more about the land than v-shaped windbreaks from secondary steel. Each the people who live there.” is strategically placed to minimize the herd’s traffic over riparian areas. Additional wind protection The family has operated Cammack Ranch Supply (and wildlife habitat) is provided by the more than in Union Center since 1979. Photos by Joe Dickie and Mitch Kezar Watch video of Cammack Ranch 30,000 trees the Cammacks have planted over three decades. The Cammacks’ four grown sons all have varying degrees of ownership in the ranch and cattle. The Cammacks built their own tree planter with a Preliminary estate planning has taken place to Presented in Partnership with water jet system to plant willow and cottonwood ensure the fifth, sixth and succeeding generations shoots. Once planted, they fence out the area to of Cammacks are able to continue protect the tree shoots. ranching in South Dakota. Leopold Conservation Award 24 • Sand County Foundation • 2018 Year in Review 25 “We’re returning it back as prairie to take care of the doves, quail, deer, turkey and the ducks. We have more wildlife on the ranch now than we’ve ever had.” –Berdon Lawrence, 2018 Leopold Conservation Award recipient TEXASLaborcitas Creek Ranch Falfurrias, Texas Wildlife habitat is flourishing in South Texas The Lawrences created 70 ponds that dot the ranch thanks to Laborcitas Creek Ranch. to provide water for wildlife. A combination of solar and electric powered wells, and windmills supply Since its 2001 purchase, innovative land and water water to ponds, reservoirs and wetlands utilized management techniques at the ranch in Brooks by migratory birds ranging from ducks to sand County have improved wildlife habitat, quality hill cranes. The lush green vegetation provides the and population across its 16,000 acres. grasses needed for nesting habitat, even during times Its owners, Berdon and Rolanette Lawrence, of drought. credit the landscape’s continuous improvement Eighteen irrigation pivots provide the water that to the ranch’s dedicated team of professionals, fuels fields of brown top millet, sorghum and china and innovative ideas from friends and wildlife red peas for wildlife to feed on. consultants. The ranch, which quickly became known for memorable and successful wildlife Supplemental feeding programs for deer, quail experiences, qualified for the Texas Leopold and turkey are conducted. Feeding protein to deer Conservation Award by receiving the Lone Star increases bucks’ antler development and does’ health Land Steward Ecoregion Award (representing the for fawn development. Elevated turkey feeders are South Texas Plains ecoregion) in 2014. maintained year-round, and a corn and sorghum mix is offered for quail during drought and harsh New strategies of managing pastures have allowed winter conditions. native grasses to thrive and provide habitat for quail, turkey and deer. A census of deer and quail populations is conducted annually by helicopter. Survey results are used to In addition to selective grazing of cattle in certain analyze deer density, buck-to-doe ratios, and the areas, the ranch uses a modified pasture aerator number of quail coveys. Harvest records kept of all called the ‘Quailerator.’ The unique spiked birds, deer and predators harvested on the property contraption is pulled behind a tractor in pastures are used to manage wildlife populations. that have become densely matted with perennial grasses. It’s designed to simulate grazing and the The Lawrences teamed up with Caesar Kleberg Photos courtesy of Texas Parks & Wildlife Watch video of hoof action of cattle. in 2012 to sponsor the C. Berdon and Rolanette Lawrence Waterfowl Research Endowment. Berdon Laborcitas Creek Ranch Winter disking involves cultivating 15-foot wide Lawrence is a founding member of the South Texas strips in a checkerboard fashion (about 100 yards Property Rights Association. He is a recipient of the apart) throughout the ranch. It stimulates the weed Texas Wildlife Association’s Texas Outdoorsman of Presented in Partnership with growth needed to produce the seeds that feed insects the Year Award. Ranch manager, that feed many species of birds. David Kelly, is the president of With adequate moisture the ranch land responds the Brush Country Ground Leopold Water Conservation District. Conservation favorably to controlled burns every three years. Award 26 • Sand County Foundation • 2018 Year in Review 27

“We’re not just regenerating aspen trees. We’re not just regenerating the land, but regenerating the interest in the soil and the water, and also our kids’ interest as well.” –Dusty Morgan, 2018 Leopold Conservation Award recipient UErcanbrack TAH Livestock Coalville, Utah Ercanbrack Livestock’s story began amid the Great A Forest Stewardship Plan was developed with the Depression with a hearty handshake and $12 an Utah Department of Natural Resources’ Division acre on the front steps of the Summit County of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. It encourages Courthouse. Since then, four generations of ranchers regeneration of aspen tree groves, and eradicates have ridden the same trails and shared a passion for musk and Canadian thistles, and other invasive the land. species. Ed and Dixie Ercanbrack and their adult children, Conservation of grazing land works hand-in-hand Dane and Dusty, work together at making their with success in the cattle business. Two generations land productive by targeting areas in need of water, of Ercanbracks are achieving more profit with fewer regeneration and soil support. It’s working. cattle, by adopting innovative practices (like a fence- line weaning system) while seeking niche markets Range management projects have improved the for their Angus and Simmental cattle. quality of wildlife habitat, pastures for beef cattle, and the ranch’s many springs and ponds. By The Ercanbracks host youth groups on their restoring native grasses and the health of the soil, ranch, have participated in pro-conservation they are reversing damage from decades of sheep videos for fellow ranchers and consumers, and grazing and coal mining. Prescribed rotational advocate for conservation issues to legislators and grazing lowers the threat of wildfire, as native agricultural organizations. grasses and vegetation are allowed to reseed, producing healthier forests. “Give to the land, it will give back” is more than just a motto for those who live and work at Cattle watering facilities have been retrofitted so Ercanbrack Livestock. birds and bats can safely drink. Supplying a clean water supply benefits the performance of livestock The family has established a conservation easement and wildlife. on the ranch to continue to protect, maintain and improve these resources for generations to come. The vegetation, warm coal soils, and cliffs found at This demonstrates their commitment to the land a reclaimed coal mine provides unique habitat for and their agricultural legacy. Photos by Ron Francis Watch video of wildlife. With an influx of elk, deer, ruffed grouse, mountain lions, bobcats and bear, the 2,400-acre Ercanbrack Livestock sets an example of what Ercanbrack Livestock ranch offers limited big game hunting to others. sustainable resource management looks like.

Presented in Partnership with

Leopold Conservation Award 28 • Sand County Foundation • 2018 Year in Review 29 “You need to be responsible for what you’re doing with the land.”

–David Geiser, 2018 Leopold Conservation Award recipient WISCONSINDavid Geiser, Gold Star Dairy New Holstein, Wisconsin Some farmers focus on yield and profit. David surrounded the farmstead remained as a prudent Geiser is also driven by conservation and education. way to minimize runoff and soil erosion. Geiser grows cover crops to feed his cattle and soil. He has A quiet leader, Geiser listens to others and learns hosted outreach and research efforts that examine about innovative practices before putting them how water moves through fractured bedrock systems to work at Gold Star Dairy. His reputation as a and the unique geological features of karst. Fields respected farmer and conservationist stems from his with shallow bedrock are identified and carefully devotion to improve the health of soil, water, plants managed. Conservation practices adopted include and cattle. vegetated buffer strips and no-till cultivation Geiser is passionate about learning how to best practices. Paved ditches and leachate storage areas manage the fragile karst topography that his family transport and collect runoff responsibly. has farmed between Lake Michigan and Lake Geiser was one of the first Calumet County farmers Winnebago for more than a century. to obtain a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Geiser came home to begin dairy farming in Plan through the NRCS’s Environmental Quality 1975. Installing a Natural Resources Conservation Incentives Program. His conservation practices have Service-approved manure storage facility in the been passed on to the farmers that grow Gold Star 1980s was a huge undertaking, but the right Dairy’s feed. Gold Star Farms received the Calumet thing to do. He established a successful rotational County Land Conservation Award in 2004. grazing system for his 100-cow herd in the 1990s. Geiser has gone the extra mile to ensure a legacy He witnessed how grazing allowed plants and at Gold Star Farms. His younger business partners soil to retain water rather than running off and and family members are mindful of the conservation compromising water quality. He was a founding enhancements found on their piece of rolling member of the Calumet County Forage Council Wisconsin landscape. and received the Midwest Forage Council’s Pacesetter Award. Through hard work, perseverance, well-thought out decisions and luck, the farm has survived and In 2000 straight line winds destroyed the farm’s thrived under Geiser’s leadership. Today on the Photos by Casey Langan Watch video of barns. Like other dairies, Geiser and his wife, Deb 106-year-old family farm, Geiser continues to adapt, Reinhart, had been growing their herd’s size to Gold Star Dairy learn and implement conservation practices that will adapt to changes in the dairy economy. Decisions leave the land as a living legacy for generations had to be made about the farm’s future. to come. Presented in Partnership with Grazing paddocks gave way to a freestall barn for more than 400 cows, but the acres of grass that Leopold Conservation Award 30 • Sand County Foundation • 2018 Year in Review 31 The 2018 Leopold Conservation Awards were made possible through the generous support of our partners and sponsors: The Nature Conservancy South Dakota Texas Wisconsin in North Dakota South Dakota Texas Parks & Wildlife Wisconsin Farm North Dakota Cattlemen’s Association Lee & Ramona Bass Bureau Federation California Kansas University of Kentucky Nebraska Department of Health South Dakota Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin College of Agriculture, California Farm Kansas Association of Cargill Slope Electric Cooperative Grasslands Coalition Food and Environment Wisconsin Land and Water Bureau Federation Conservation Districts Nebraska Environmental The Wildlife Society of First Dakota National Bank Conservation Association Farm Credit Sustainable Conservation Ranchland Trust Trust North Dakota Utah Mid-America South Dakota Department Compeer Financial Farm Credit West of Kansas Alliance for Roughrider Electric of Agriculture Kentucky Corn Utah Farm American Transmission ITC Great Plains the Future of Cooperative American AgCredit Growers Association South Dakota Department Bureau Federation Company Ducks Unlimited Agriculture in Nebraska KEM Electric Cooperative of Environment and The Harvey L. & Maud S. Kentucky Tree Western AgCredit USDA NRCS Lyle Sittler Natural Resources - Sorensen Foundation Westar Energy Farm Committee Mor-Gran-Sou Utah Cattlemen’s Association Memorial Fund Electric Cooperative Discovery Center Wisconsin Soybean The Nature Conservancy Kansas Department of Kentucky Cattlemen’s Producers Livestock Marketing Board Sandhills Task Force South Dakota in California Agriculture, Division Association USDA NRCS Marketing Association Department of Game, We Energies Foundation of Conservation Rainwater Basin World Wildlife Fund - California LCA Kentucky Woodland Fish & Parks Utah Wool Joint Venture Northern Great Plains Wisconsin Corn Recipient Alumni USDA NRCS Owner’s Association Growers Association Promotion Board World Wildlife Fund – Program South Dakota Farm Kansas Department of The Nature Conservancy Northern Great Plains Bureau Federation Wisconsin Potato & Wildlife, Parks and Tourism in Utah Program USDA NRCS Vegetable Growers Colorado Kansas Forest Service Missouri Utah Department of Association Tri-State Generation and Oklahoma South Dakota Agriculture and Food Colorado Cattlemen’s Clean Line Missouri Farmers Care Transmission Association State University College Wisconsin Corn Association Energy Partners Noble Research Institute of Agriculture and Utah Association of Growers Association Missouri Soybean Audubon Nebraska The Nature Conservancy Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Biological Sciences Conservation Districts Colorado Cattlemen’s Merchandising Council Nebraska Game and Agricultural Land Trust in Kansas Association Bad River Ranches Missouri Soybean Parks Commission Tri-State Generation and Association ITC Great Plains Belle Fourche River Transmission Association Watershed Partnership Kentucky USDA NRCS Oklahoma Farm Bureau The Stanko Ranch North Dakota Foundation for Agriculture Ducks Unlimited Kentucky Association of Missouri Cattlemen’s USDA NRCS Oklahoma State University Millborn Seeds, Inc. Conservation Districts Association North Dakota Grazing American AgCredit Missouri Corn Oklahoma Association of Pheasants Forever Kentucky Agricultural Lands Coalition Conservation Districts Bird Conservancy Council Merchandising Council Daybreak Ranch North Dakota of the Rockies Missouri Department USDA NRCS USDA NRCS Association of Soil Audubon Dakota The Nature Conservancy of Conservation AgriBusiness Association Conservation Districts South Dakota Soil in Colorado MFA, Inc. of Kentucky North Dakota Health Coalition Kentucky Department Association of Missouri Stockmen’s Association Pennsylvania North Central SARE - Electric Cooperatives of Agriculture Starion Financial The Heinz Endowments Sustainable Agriculture Missouri Association of Research & Education Kentucky Farm North Dakota Soil and Water Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Bureau Federation Game and Fish Department Professional Alliance Conservation Districts USDA NRCS Kentucky Department of Audubon Dakota South Dakota Association of Fish & Wildlife Resources Missouri Soil and Water Pennsylvania Department Conservation Districts Conservation Program North Dakota Natural of Agriculture Resources Trust The Nature Conservancy in The Nature Conservancy Pennsylvania Association South Dakota in Missouri Ducks Unlimited of Conservation Districts Todd Mortenson Family APEX Clean Energy Center for Dairy Excellence U.S. Fish & Wildlife Delta Waterfowl Dairymen’s Association Service - Partners for Fish & Basin Electric Wildlife, South Dakota Power Cooperative World Wildlife Fund -

Cow Chip Ranch Northern Great Plains

Dakota Community Leopold Bank and Trust Conservation Award 32 • Sand County Foundation • 2018 Year in Review 33 Past Colorado 2004 2015 Recipients 2017 Rusk Hereford Ranch Shaw Family Farms South Dakota 2011 2010 Wyoming Rancho Largo Cattle Co. Randy and Claricy Rusk Shaw Family 2017 Temple Ranch Della Ranches 2016 Grady Grissom Blue Bell Ranch Buddy and Ellen Temple Tanner Family SR Cattle Company 2003 2014 Hamann Family Kane Family California 2016 Capps Ranch Pelster Angus Ranch 2010 2009 Frankie and Sue Pelster Family 2017 Stacked Lazy 3 Ranch 2016 Anderson Ranch Tavaputs Ranch 2015 Menegatti Thomson Keven and Sandi Turecek Cronin Farms Jim Bill Anderson Butch and Jeanie Jensen King Ranch 2013 International, Inc. Mike and Monty Cronin Eisele Family Beel Ranch C. Jeff Thompson 2015 2009 2008 Flying Diamond Ranch Kansas Beel Family 2015 Selah, Bamberger Johnson Ranch 2014 2016 Johnson Family 2017 Jorgensen Land and Ranch Preserve Darrell and Carol Ladder Ranch 2012 Lone Star Ranch Lazy VJ Farms Cattle Partnership J. David Bamberger Johnson O’Toole Family Shovel Dot Ranch Mark and Dina Moore 2014 The Vorhees Family Jorgensen Family Turkey Creek Ranch Buell Family 2008 2007 2013 2015 Walker Family 2016 2014 Llano Springs Ranch Harold Selman, Inc. Padlock Ranch 2011 Prather Ranch 2S Land & Cattle Rock Hills Ranch Vandivier Family Fred and Laura Selman Wayne and Judy Fahsholtz RGM Corporation Jim and Mary Rickert 2013 Randy and Nicole Small Perman Family and the Scott Family Mathewson Family Visintainer Sheep Co. 2007 Wisconsin 2014 Dean and Gary 2015 2013 77 Ranch 2012 2010 Full Belly Farm Visintainer Sproul Ranch Guptill Angus Gary and Sue Price 2017 Sommers Ranch Kalkowski Family Ranches Andrew Brait, Paul Muller, Sproul Family Guptill Family Brickstead Dairy Sommers Family Kalkowski Family Judith Redmond and Dru 2012 2006 Dan Brick and Family Rivers Wineinger-Davis Ranch 2012 Treadwell Brady Ranch 2011 Russell and Tricia Davis Kentucky 2009 Kopriva Angus John and Brian 2016 Fieldgrove Ranch Bluestem Valley Farms 2013 Kopriva Family Treadwell Brooks Farms Ryan and Teresa Fieldgrove 2017 Lyle and Alice Sittler, Point Reyes Farmstead 2011 Brooks Family Tallow Creek Farm Kristen and Todd Cheese Co. Pipe Springs Ranch 2011 2005 2010 Harry and Karen Pelle Eggerling Bob, Karen, Diana, Lynn McEndree Family Mortenson Ranch Richards Ranch 2015 7E Ranch John and Brent Hackley and Jill Giacomini 2016 Mortenson Family Meuer Farm Ron and Linda Heward 2010 2008 Meuer Family Turner Family Farms Calf Creek and 2012 Stanko Ranch 2010 2009 Mark and June Turner 4-0 Ranches Utah Giacomazzi Dairy Jim and Jo Stanko Doud Ranch 2014 Foy Ranch A.B.Cox Dino and Julie 2015 Rick and Marlis Doud 2017 Herricks Dairy Farm Rocky and Nancy Foy Giacomazzi 2009 West Wind Farm Circle Bar Ranch Herricks Family Mesa De Maya Ranch 2007 Fred Thurston 2008 Charlie Williams Christen Ranch 2011 John and Carolyn Doherty Texas 2013 Pape Ranch Rod and Amy Christen Koopmann Ranch 2014 2017 2016 Cates Family Farm Norm and Barbara Pape Tim Koopmann 2008 Springhill Farms Dixon Water Foundation Jerrold Richins Ranch Dick and Kim Cates Coleman Ranch 2006 Jerrold Richins 2007 Peery Family Wilson Ranch Robert Potts 2010 Jim, Frances, Tim and 2012 Golden Willow Ranch Blaine and Bryan Wilson Montna Farms Teddi Coleman 2013 2016 2015 Hebbe Family Farm Paul and Catherine Al Montna Sherwood Acres Farms Blue Mountain Peak Ranch W.F. Goring & Son, Inc. Jim and Val Hebbe Kukowski 2007 Jon and Sylvia Bednarski North Dakota Richard Taylor Goring Family 2009 San Isabel Ranch 2011 2006 Red Rock Ranch Mike and Sara Shields, 2017 2015 2014 Koepke Farms Inc. Barlow Livestock, Inc. John Diener Bet Kettle Missouri Miller Ranch The Bigwoods on the Trinity Johnson Mountain Koepke Family Glenn and Joy Barlow Ken and Bonnie Miller Ranch LLC 2017 Dr. Robert McFarlane 2008 2006 Johnson Family 2010 Uptown Farms Three Creeks Ranch Bohart Ranch 2016 Bragger Family Dairy Matt and Kate Lambert 2014 Chet Vogt Dick, Sandra and Black Leg Ranch Winston 8 Ranch 2013 Joe and Noel Bragger Nate Tanner Jerry and Renae Doan Winston Family H.A. Farms 2007 Nebraska Stowell Family 2008 Sierra Orchards 2005 2013 Terry Peters Craig and Julie McNeil Ranch 2017 Oklahoma Buckhollow and 2012 Terry Peters Logging McNamara Mike and Cathy McNeil K & W Farms 2017 Stockard-Sirianni Ranches Heaton Livestock Company Kurt and Wayne Kaup Emmons Farm Jack and Jan Cato Heaton Family 2006 2006 Jimmy and Ginger Gerry Mich Lange Twins Wine Estates 2016 Emmons 2012 2011 Brad and Randy Lange Plum Thicket Farms Cook’s Branch Conservancy Red Pine Land Leopold

Rex and Nancy Peterson Mitchell Family and Livestock Conservation Osguthorpe Family Award 34 • Sand County Foundation • 2018 Year in Review 35 “Conservation can accomplish its objectives only when it springs from an impelling conviction on the part of private landowners.” – Aldo Leopold Conservationist, landowner and author of “A Sand County Almanac”

131 West Wilson Street, Suite 610, Madison, WI 53703 • sandcountyfoundation.org