2016 South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award Recipient Announced

PIERRE, SD – Sand County Foundation, the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association and the South Dakota Grassland Coalition congratulate Cronin Farms of Gettysburg, recipients of the 2016 Leopold Conservation Award. The award honors South Dakota landowner achievement in voluntary stewardship and management of natural resources.

Cronin Farms is a diverse mix-livestock and crop enterprise owned by Monty and Mike Cronin, and co-managed with their agronomy manager Dan Forgey.

The Cronins and Forgey take a holistic approach to crop and livestock management. The farm was transitioned to no-till in 1993, and the fragile perennial pastures were transformed from season-long grazing to a rotational grazing system. Forage and cover crops have been integrated into the diverse crop rotations and are either swath or bale grazed during the fall and winter, improving nutrient cycling, soil health and biological activity. In the spring and summer, the cattle herd grazes grassland along the Missouri River breaks.

Innovation has been critical to the success at Cronin Farms. The most visible results to those passing by the farm is the health of the fields as a result of the rotation schemes and grazing systems. However, the less perceptible changes include the use of imagery, zone mapping and sampling, variable rate applications and integrated pest management techniques. On the livestock side, the Cronins have adapted their genetic techniques to help produce an animal better suited for a diet high in forage.

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 Cronins during the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association Annual Convention in November.

“Cronin Farms exemplifies how a focus on soil health can benefit not only the farming and ranching operation, but also their wildlife and water resources. SDCA is proud to recognize them as the recipients of the 2016 Leopold Conservation Award,” said Todd Wilkinson, SDCA President and cattle feeder from DeSmet.

“Monty, Mike and Dan have a proven track record of utilizing technology to further their conservation goals. The SD Grassland Coalition applauds their leadership in preserving and protecting natural resources on their working lands and congratulates them for being our 2016 Leopold Conservation Award winners,” stated Jim Faulstich, chairman, South Dakota Grassland Coalition.

The Leopold Conservation Award in South Dakota is possible thanks to generous contributions from many organizations, including: South Dakota Department of Environment & Natural Resources Discovery Center, Bad River Ranches, South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks, South Dakota Farm Bureau Federation, First Dakota National Bank, South Dakota Grassland Coalition, South Dakota State University College of Ag and Biological Sciences, Belle Fourche River Watershed Partnership, Daybreak Ranch, Ducks Unlimited, Millborn Seeds, Mortenson Family, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Professional Alliance, South Dakota's Conservation Districts, South Dakota Department of Agriculture Resource Conservation & Forestry, The Nature Conservancy Western Dakotas Program, World Wildlife Fund Northern Great Plains, US Fish & Wildlife Service, South Dakota Pheasants Forever, DuPont Pioneer and The Mosaic Company.

ABOUT THE LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD

The Leopold Conservation Award (http://leopoldconservationaward.org/) is a competitive award that recognizes landowner achievement in voluntary conservation. The award consists of a crystal depicting Aldo Leopold and $10,000. Sand County Foundation presents Leopold Conservation Awards in California, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

ABOUT SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION

Sand County Foundation (www.sandcounty.net) is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to working with private landowners across North America to advance ethical and scientifically sound land management practices that benefit the environment.

ABOUT THE SOUTH DAKOTA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION

The South Dakota Cattlemen's Association (www.sdcattlemen.org) is a member-driven organization working to advance and protect the interests of all cattlemen.

ABOUT THE SOUTH DAKOTA GRASSLAND COALITION

The South Dakota Grassland Coalition (www.sdgrass.org) is a non-profit organization that seeks the voluntary improvement of grasslands for the long-term needs of the resource and its various species. The SD Grassland Coalition is dedicated to improving and maintaining the state’s grasslands by informing and guiding grassland managers to make cost-effective and environmentally sound management decisions.

###