Nominations are now open for the 2021 Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award.
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes farmers and forest landowners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land.
Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 22 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. In Pennsylvania, the $10,000 award is presented in partnership with The Heinz Endowments and Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.
Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA.
The application deadline date is August 5, 2021. Applications can be emailed to award@sandcountyfoundation.org. If mailed, applications must be postmarked by August 5, and mailed to:
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
c/o Joel Rotz
PO Box 8736
Camp Hill, PA 17001-8736
“Many farmers across Pennsylvania have poured their sweat and resources into practices that benefit the land, water and natural resources and climate because they believe that environmental stewardship and smart farming go hand in hand,” said Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Rick Ebert. “We are encouraging Pennsylvania farmers to showcase their dedication to stewardship and innovative approaches to conservation by applying for the 2021 Leopold Conservation Award.”
The award will be presented at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in January. Pennsylvania’s 2020 Leopold Conservation Award was presented to Ben and Sharon Peckman, who own and operate Slate Ridge Dairy Farm near St. Thomas in Franklin County.