empowering landowners - advancing a land ethic

Photo Credit: Nick Bristol

Farmers, ranchers and forestland owners who manage most of the land in the U.S. hold the keys to environmental improvement.

They urgently need conservation information, data, and examples to follow to ethically care for the land while they produce food, fiber, and feed.

As farming intensifies to meet demand, we face critical challenges related to soil health, water resources, and wildlife habitat.

Sand County Foundation is inspiring and empowering landowners to address these issues.

Here's how...

Advancing Conservation Research

Sand County Foundation’s team of scientists works in partnership with farmers, ranchers, forestland owners and other land managers to conduct needed research and demonstrations of effective conservation farming and ranching practices like cover crops, managed livestock grazing, and pollinator habitat creation which are good for the land and good for the farm's bottom line.

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Recognizing Conservation Leadership

Our network of leading private land stewards has grown out of our Leopold Conservation Award® Program. This prestigious honor is given to outstanding farmers, ranchers and foresters for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation.

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Mentoring land stewards

Our Land Ethic Mentorship Program connects award-winning land stewards as conservation mentors for historically-underserved farmers and ranchers nationwide.

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Partner with Us

Sand County Foundation needs your help to engage with farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners to improve water quality, soil health and wildlife habitat. We are grateful for your support.

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Upcoming Events

Trust in Beef - Sustainable Ranchers Tour

SCF Chairman Homer Buell's ranch hosts a stop on a five-state tour of sustainable ranches that are leading the charge toward a more regenerative future for America’s beef industry.

July 17 to 18, 2024
Bassett, NE

South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award Recipient Tour

Visit the Blioux River Ranch, owned by the Barry & Eli Little and family. RSVP to Judge Jessop at jljessop@kennebectelephone.com or call/text 605.280.0127

August 8 , 2024 - 9:30AM to 4:00PM
Castlewood, SD

Trust in Beef - Sustainable Ranchers Tour

The 2015 South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award recipient hosts a stop on a five-state tour of sustainable ranches that are leading the charge toward a more regenerative future for America’s beef industry.

August 14 to 15, 2024
Ideal, SD
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“A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise."

- Aldo Leopold

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