(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 2018 Missouri Leopold Conservation Award^®.

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.

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.

“The Leopold Conservation Award is an excellent venue for Missouri’s agriculture community to highlight the great work of farmers, ranchers and foresters,” said Alan Wessler, D.V.M, chairman of Missouri Farmers Care. “These efforts are firmly rooted in enhancing the stewardship of their farming and ranching operations with regards to conservation. This program highlights farmers’ best practices and purpose to meet an ultimate goal: leaving the land in as good or better shape for the next generation.”

Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found at
http://mofarmerscare.com/leopold-conservation-award/ and https://sandcountyfoundation.org/uploads/MO-CFN-HR-Update.pdf

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. All applications must be submitted or postmarked by July 20, 2018.

Finalists will be announced in November with the award presented in December or January 2019.

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.

Recipients of the 2017 Missouri Leopold Conservation Award were Matt and Kate Lambert, owners and managers of Uptown Farms near Laclede, Mo. The Lamberts have a 2,000 acre crop enterprise which has made a complete transition to no-till and incorporated cover crops for soil benefits and to extend grazing for their commercial beef herd and flock of sheep. Pictured, Kate and son Meyer feed the sheep.

Photo Credit: Missouri Soybean Association

THE LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD PROGRAM

The Leopold Conservation Award is a competitive award that recognizes landowner achievement in voluntary conservation. Sand County Foundation presents the award in California, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.