By Blake Jackson
Troy Firth of Spartansburg has been named the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award, which comes with a $10,000 prize.
The award recognizes farmers and landowners who demonstrate exceptional efforts in managing soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working lands.
Firth, the owner of Firth Maple Products, was announced as the award winner during the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg on January 6.
The Leopold Conservation Award is presented by the Sand County Foundation, in partnership with national sponsor American Farmland Trust. In Pennsylvania, the award is co-presented by The Heinz Endowments, Horizon Farm Credit, and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.
This esteemed award honors those who go above and beyond in land stewardship, inspired by the legacy of Aldo Leopold, a renowned conservationist. Leopold’s 1949 book, A Sand County Almanac, introduced the concept of a “land ethic,” advocating for an ethical relationship between people and the land they manage.
Landowners in Pennsylvania were invited to apply or be nominated for the award, with nominations reviewed by a panel of agricultural and conservation experts from the state.
The award celebrates Firth's commitment to environmental stewardship and his role as a leader in sustainable agriculture.
Photo Credit: sand-county-foundation
Categories: Pennsylvania, General