The Leopold Conservation Award Program recognizes agricultural landowners actively committed to a land ethic. Sand County Foundation, the nation’s leading voice for conservation of private land, presents the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 13 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation.
In Missouri, the $10,000 award is presented annually by Sand County Foundation, Missouri Farmers Care (MFC), and the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council.
Click here to view an example Leopold Conservation Award Application.
The Leopold Conservation Award is a productive investment in private lands conservation. It recognizes and celebrates extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation by private landowners, inspires countless other landowners by example and provides a prominent platform by which agricultural community leaders are recognized as conservation ambassadors to citizens outside of agriculture.
Watch this video to learn more about the Leopold Conservation Award.
Nominations for the 2018 Leopold Conservation Award may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. All applications must be submitted by July 20, 2018.
Applications can be emailed to MFC Outreach Coordinator, Kari Asbury, at kari@mofarmerscare.com or mailed to Missouri Farmers Care, c/o Kari Asbury, 4481 Brown Station Road, Columbia, MO 65202.
Click here to download a copy of the application: 2018 Leopold Conservation Award Application.
Photo Caption: Missouri Farmers Care Chairman Dr. Alan Wessler (left) and Sand County Foundation National Director for the Leopold Conservation Award Program Lance Irving (right) announced Matt and Kate Lambert of Uptown Farms as the first winners of the Missouri Leopold Conservation Award November 8 at the National Association of Farm Broadcasters Annual Meeting in Kansas City.
Photo Credit: Missouri Farmers Care
The recipient of the inaugural Missouri Leopold Conservation Award was the Lambert Family of Laclede, Mo. A video highlighting their farm can be viewed at 2017 Missouri Leopold Conservation Award – Uptown Farms.
The Leopold Conservation Award Program in Missouri is made possible thanks to the generous support of Missouri Farmers Care, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, Missouri Cattlemens Association, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, Missouri Department of Conservation, MFA, Inc., Missouri Soil and Water Conservation Program, USDA NRCS, Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, and the Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.