2014 Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award Recipient Announced

LINCOLN, Neb. – Sand County Foundation, Nebraska Cattlemen and Cargill are proud to announce The Pelster Angus Ranch as the recipient of the 2014 Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award. The annual award honors Nebraska landowner achievement in voluntary stewardship and management of natural resources.

Duane and Nancy (Malmsten) Pelster represent the third generation to manage this ranch land along the Cedar River in the Nebraska Sandhills. Duane’s ongoing development of a management plan has increased livestock profitability and land health simultaneously. He is committed to responsible, sustainable land management and is recognized as a pioneer in the use of rotational grazing.

The grazing practices combined with on-going cedar and weed control have improved grass health and allowed wildlife to thrive. Prairie chickens, deer, duck and geese abound on the ranch in addition to a pond of otters. Leaving standing grass for nesting and fawning has also enabled limited hunting on the ranch.

Over the years, the Pelsters have reduced the risk of soil damage and made conditions better for livestock and wildlife by installing over 25 miles of pipeline. And nearly 80,000 coniferous trees have been planted to provide shelterbelts and windbreaks on the ranch. To benefit water quality, Duane decommissioned 27 wells and made a special effort to maintain healthy stands of riparian vegetation along the entire length of the Cedar River within his ownership.

"The Pelsters carry on a longstanding family commitment to ranching practices that benefit the land, wildlife and all of us,” said Brent Haglund, President, Sand County Foundation.

The Leopold Conservation Award is presented in honor of renowned conservationist and author Aldo Leopold, who called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage. Award applicants are judged based on their demonstration of improved resource conditions, innovation, long-term commitment to stewardship, sustained economic viability, community and civic leadership, and multiple use benefits.

The $10,000 award, and a crystal depicting Aldo Leopold, will be presented to the Pelsters at the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Annual Convention in December.

“As farmers and ranchers it is our responsibility to preserve and protect the land for future generations,” Nebraska Cattlemen President Jeff Rudolph said. “The Pelster family is an excellent example of ranchers who are committed to living as responsible stewards of the land.”

"On behalf of Cargill’s customers and employees, we are proud to recognize Pelster Ranch for conservation that increases the sustainability of animal agriculture in the U.S.,” stated Jarrod Gillig, vice president and general manager at Cargill’s Schuyler, Neb., beef processing plant. “Through effective land management that includes livestock grazing and preservation of wildlife habitats, Pelster Ranch is a shining example of best practices for cattle and beef production.”

The Leopold Conservation Award in Nebraska is possible thanks to generous contributions from many organizations, including: Cargill, Farm Credit Services of America, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Cattlemen Research & Education Foundation, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Nebraska Environmental Trust, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, Rainwater Basin Joint Venture, Sandhills Task Force, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Assoc., World Wildlife Fund, Farm Credit, DuPont Pioneer, The Mosaic Company and The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.

ABOUT THE LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD

The Leopold Conservation Award is a competitive award that recognizes landowner achievement in voluntary conservation. The award consists of an crystal depicting Aldo Leopold and a check for $10,000. Sand County Foundation presents Leopold Conservation Awards in California, Colorado, Kentucky, Nebraska, Nebraska, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

ABOUT SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION

Sand County Foundation (www.sandcounty.net) is a private, non-profit conservation group dedicated to working with private landowners to improve habitat on their land. Sand County’s mission is to advance the use of ethical and scientifically sound land management practices and partnerships for the benefit of people and their rural landscapes.

ABOUT THE NEBRASKA CATTLEMEN

Nebraska Cattlemen (www.nebraskacattlemen.org) is a grassroots organization whose individual producer members determine issues of importance to the Nebraska beef industry. The mission of Nebraska Cattlemen is to work for Nebraska beef producers providing leadership, education, and representation.

ABOUT CARGILL

As a food and agricultural company, Cargill’s goal is to nourish people. Human food and animal feeds depend on clean water, soil, air, and light. As the world’s population continues to grow, so too do the demands on the environment. A sustainable future requires investing in environmental innovation today. At Cargill, we are aware that our global reach creates high expectations for leadership in resource stewardship. We look to innovation as a way to preserve and protect the environment, whether by using energy and resources more wisely (which also helps reduce energy costs), pioneering profitable business and product lines that make use of renewable raw materials, or helping customers shrink their environmental footprints.