Nominations are open for the 2022 Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award, which recognizes farmers and 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.
“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 2022 Leopold Conservation Award.”
“Pennsylvania farmers not only feed our families and our economy, they pour their lives and livelihoods into improving our soil and water for future generations,” Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “The Leopold Conservation Award recognizes farmers who stand out among their peers as excellent stewards of soil and water resources.”
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 1, 2022. Applications must be emailed to award@sandcountyfoundation.org.
If mailed, applications must be postmarked by Aug. 1 and mailed to:
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
c/o Justin Clapper
PO Box 8736
Camp Hill, PA 17001-8736
Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders.
The Leopold Conservation Award will be presented at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in January. Pennsylvania’s 2021 Leopold Conservation Award was presented to Brubaker Farms of Mount Joy in Lancaster County.