Kentucky Ag News
Leopold Conservation Award Program seeks nominees in Kentucky
Special to Kentucky Agricultural News
FRANKFORT, Ky. - Sand County Foundation, the Kentucky Agricultural Council (KAC) and the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts (KACD) are accepting applications for the Leopold Conservation Award program in Kentucky. The $10,000 award honors Kentucky farmers, ranchers and other private landowners who voluntarily demonstrate outstanding stewardship and management of natural resources.
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the Leopold Conservation Award recognizes extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. It inspires other landowners through these examples and provides a visible forum where farmers, ranchers and other private landowners are recognized as conservation leaders. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage, which he called “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological necessity.”
"The Kentucky Agricultural Council is proud to be part of the Leopold Conservation Award program,” said Kentucky Agricultural Council Chairman Nancy Cox. “Last year’s recipient was Charles Williams, who set a high standard for stewardship of natural resources on his tree farm in Hart County. There are many more agricultural producers in Kentucky who are outstanding stewards of our natural resources and are deserving of this recognition. This award allows us to celebrate and learn from the examples of Kentucky landowners who have taken a thoughtful approach to conservation and stewardship of our land.”
“KACD and conservation districts promote the sound management of all our natural resources, and we are excited to join Sand County Foundation and the Kentucky Agricultural Council in recognizing a well-deserving landowner in Kentucky,” said David Rowlett, KACD president. “The association and conservation districts work daily to assist private landowners in their efforts to adopt sound soil and water conservation practices on their land that benefit us all.”
Nominations must be postmarked by April 1 and mailed to Leopold Conservation Award, c/o Franklin County Conservation District, 103 Lakeview Court, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.
The award will be presented at the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts Convention on July 12.
The Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award is made possible thanks to the generous support of Farm Credit Mid-America, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Farm Bureau, the Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Monty’s Pant & Soil Products, Edward & Nina Bonnie, the Brereton & Elizabeth Jones Charitable Family Foundation, the Kentucky Woodland Owners Association, the Kentucky Tree Farm Committee, USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service, Buffalo Trace Distillery, the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Mosaic Company, and DuPont Pioneer.
For application information, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org or www.kyagcouncil.net.
