JEFFERSON CITY — The Sand County Foundation, in partnership with Missouri Farmers Care, announced Matt and Kate Lambert of Uptown Farms in Laclede, as the inaugural recipients of the Missouri Leopold Conservation Award.® The award honors Missouri farmers’ achievement in voluntary stewardship and natural resources management.
“It’s a sincere honor to receive the first Missouri Leopold Conservation Award,” said Matt Lambert. “The program is important for Missouri agriculture. We have abundant natural resources in this state, and we must take care of them. Missouri farmers play a key role in conserving our land and water, but there is always room for improvement. This award will hopefully encourage others to continue to look for ways to do more.”
Uptown Farms consists of row crop and hay production, as well as a herd of Red Angus cattle and small flock of Hampshire and Dorper sheep. The Lamberts operate a no-till farm, and utilize cover crops to help avoid soil erosion and run-off.
The 2017 Leopold Conservation Award was announced at the National Association of Farm Broadcasters in Kansas City Nov. 8, 2017 and will be officially presented Jan. 6, 2018 at the 50th Missouri Cattle Industry Convention and Tradeshow in Columbia. The Lamberts receive $10,000 and a crystal award depicting Aldo Leopold.
The Leopold Conservation Award Program in Missouri is supported by Missouri Farmers Care, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, Missouri Department of Conservation, MFA, Inc., Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Missouri Soil and Water Conservation Program, and USDA NRCS.
— Missouri Corn Growers Association
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