JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Know a Missouri farmer, rancher or forester who goes above and beyond in the care and management of natural resources? Nominate them for the 2021 Missouri Leopold Conservation Award®.
Sand County Foundation, national sponsor American Farmland Trust, and state partners present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 22 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation.
“As a national sponsor for Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust celebrates the hard work and dedication of farmers, ranchers and forestland owners,” said John Piotti, AFT President and CEO. “At AFT we believe that conservation in agriculture requires a focus on the land, the practices and the people and this award recognizes the integral role of all three.”
In Missouri, the $10,000 award is presented annually with state partners: Missouri Farmers Care Foundation, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
“The Leopold Conservation Award highlights the great work of Missouri farmers, ranchers and foresters,” said Gary Marshall, chairman of Missouri Farmers Care. “These efforts are firmly rooted in recognizing the enhanced stewardship of farming and ranching operations. This program highlights farmers’ best practices and purpose to meet an ultimate goal: leaving the land in better shape for the next generation.”
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes those who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.
“Recipients of this award are real life examples of conservation-minded agriculture,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer. “These hard-working families are essential to our environment, food system and rural economy.”
Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/
Applications can be submitted online at http://mofarmerscare.com/lca or mailed to Missouri Farmers Care, c/o Kari Asbury, 19 Kipling Way #19A, Columbia, MO 65201. All applications must be submitted or postmarked by June 30, 2021.
Finalists will be announced in September with plans to present the award in November 2021 at the Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture.
The Leopold Conservation Award Program in Missouri is made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Missouri Farmers Care Foundation, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council/Missouri Soybean Association, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Sand County Foundation, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, MFA, Inc., Missouri Fertilizer Control Board, Missouri Department of Conservation, Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, The Nature Conservancy in Missouri, McDonald’s and the Missouri Soil and Water Conservation Program.
— Missouri Farmers Care
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