By Blake Jackson
The prestigious 2025 Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award is now accepting nominations, seeking to honor farmers and forestland owners who demonstrate exceptional stewardship in managing soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on their working lands.
Presented by Sand County Foundation and American Farmland Trust, the Leopold Conservation Award recognizes landowners in 28 states.
In Pennsylvania, the $10,000 award is presented in collaboration with The Heinz Endowments, Horizon Farm Credit, and Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.
Chris Hoffman, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President, encourages farmers to participate, stating, "We want to celebrate those who use technology and have farming practices that preserve our natural resources." The award, named after renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, aims to inspire others by showcasing outstanding conservation efforts.
Landowners can nominate themselves or be nominated by others. The application form is available at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA.
"Leopold Conservation Award recipients are examples of how Aldo Leopold’s land ethic is alive and well today," said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and CEO. "Their dedication to conservation is both an inspiration to their peers as well as a reminder to all how important thoughtful agriculture is to clean water, healthy soil, and wildlife habitat.”
The deadline for nominations is August 1, 2025. Submissions should be emailed to PennsylvaniaLCA@sandcountyfoundation.org. An independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders will review the nominations.
"How we manage land and water resources has a profound impact on the quality of life, and the security of our food supply for future generations," said Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding.
"The Leopold Conservation Award recognizes farmers who have been steadfast, forward-thinking models of ethical, effective soil and water conservation, always keeping their eyes on the lives they impact now and in the future.”
Photo Credit: sand-county-foundation
Categories: Pennsylvania, Business