Conservation Pays in Missouri
The Leopold Conservation Award 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.

2019 Missouri Leopold Award Recipient
Brinker Farms
Brinker Farms Inc., operated by the Kenny and Susan Brinker family, demonstrates how modern pork and row-crop farms can protect the soil, water and air, while caring for livestock and wildlife.
In 1993, Kenny and Susan, relocated to their Callaway County farm and began designing new hog facilities to address existing environmental constraints. The Brinkers, who now farm with their children, were one of the nation’s first farm families to adopt the National Pork Board’s Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan, but their conservation journey began long before.
“Our parents taught us by example, the importance of taking care of the land and our animals,” said Kenny Brinker. “We give the best care to our pigs because they are our livelihood and we are their stewards.”
2019 Missouri Leopold Conservation Award Finalists
Missouri Leopold Conservation Award Recipients

2019 - Brinker Farms; Auxvasse, Mo.
Brinker Farms shows how modern pork and row-crop production can protect the soil, water and air, while caring for livestock and wildlife.
2018 - Scherder Farms; Frankford, Mo.
John and Sandy Scherder, along with their daughter and son-in-law, Holly and Curtis Delgman, were named the 2018 Leopold Conservation Award recipients.
2017 - Uptown Farms; Laclede, Mo.
Matt and Kate Lambert of Uptown Farms were announced as the inaugural recipients of the Missouri Leopold Conservation Award.®
Missouri Leopold Conservation Award made possible thanks to:

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, The Nature Conservancy in Missouri, McDonald’s