Conservation Pays in Missouri

The Missouri Leopold Conservation Award Program recognizes extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation, inspires other landowners through their example, and helps the general public understand the vital role private landowners can and do play in conservation success.

In Missouri, the award recipient receives an Aldo Leopold crystal and $10,000.

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Cope Grass Farm of Truxton in Montgomery County

2023 Leopold Conservation Award Recipient

Cope Grass Farm of Truxton in Montgomery County is 2023 Missouri Leopold Conservation Award® Program recipient. Cope Grass Farm is a partnership with Harry Cope and his daughter and marketing director Sabrina Cope.

Innovative grazing practices coupled with deep-rooted vegetation keep pastures lush, even during drought. Harry knows the diverse mix of forbs on his farm also yield pollinators, wildlife, and biodiversity. Livestock are also grazed on fields of milo and cover crops. Grazing on fields of standing milo during the winter cuts down on labor and costs of hay production.

As a principle of soil health, incorporating livestock into cropland benefits both the animal and the next crop to be planted. No-till practices help prevent soil erosion on fields. Cover crops of sunflowers, turnips, buckwheat, oats and water.

2024 Missouri Leopold Conservation Award

Application Deadline: June 30, 2024

Access the Application

To nominate yourself or an individual, applicants must submit an application regarding their operation's conservation practices and ethics, in addition to three letters of recommendation. Click below to download the application and view past recipients' applications.

Submit Application

Submit the application at the link below (preferred) or mail it to Missouri Farmers Care Foundation, 19171 State Highway 11, Kirksville, MO 63501

Applicants must be submitted or postmarked by June 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.

Questions

If you have any questions regarding the application or award, please contact info@mofarmerscare.com

Missouri Leopold Conservation Award Recipients

 

2022

 

BRITT FARMS

Clifton Hill, Missouri

 

2021

 

OETTING HOMESTEAD FARMS

Concordia, Missouri

 

2020

 

JOSHLIN AND ADDIE YODER

Leonard, Missouri

Missouri Leopold Conservation Award made possible thanks to:

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Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, MFA, Inc., Missouri Fertilizer Control Board, FCS Financial, 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.