Agricultural News
Oklahoma Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees
Mon, 28 Mar 2022 08:50:05 CDT
Know an Oklahoma rancher, farmer or forestland owner who goes above and beyond in the care and management of natural resources? Nominate them for the 2022 Oklahoma Leopold Conservation Award®.
Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 24 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. In Oklahoma the $10,000 award is presented with Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, Noble Research Institute, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, ITC Great Plains, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes those who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land. In his influential 1949 book, "A Sand County Almanac," Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.
Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may apply themselves. Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders. The application can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA.
The application deadline date is August 15, 2022. Applications must be emailed to award@sandcountyfoundation.org.
"The Leopold Conservation Award is the highest acknowledgement a farmer or rancher can receive," said Sarah Blaney, Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts Executive Director. "It is an excellent opportunity to highlight the incredible work of Oklahoma's land stewards."
"As a national sponsor for Sand County Foundation's Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust celebrates the hard work and dedication of farmers, ranchers and forestland owners," said John Piotti, AFT President and CEO. "At AFT we believe that conservation in agriculture requires a focus on the land, the practices and the people and this award recognizes the integral role of all three."
"Recipients of this award are real life examples of conservation-minded agriculture," said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer. "These hard-working families are essential to our environment, food system and rural economy."
The Leopold Conservation Award in Oklahoma is made possible thanks to the generous contributions from American Farmland Trust, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, Noble Research Institute, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, ITC Great Plains, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, Sand County Foundation, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, McDonald's, Oklahoma State University and the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts.
The recipient will be revealed in early 2023 at the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts' Legislative Evening in Oklahoma City.
The first Oklahoma Leopold Conservation Award was presented to Jimmy and Ginger Emmons of Leedey in 2017. The Lazy KT Ranch of Freedom received the 2021 award.
For more information on the award, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.
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