Homer Buell Elected Sand County Foundation Chairman

Homer Buell has been elected chairman of the board of Sand County Foundation.

Buell, a cattle rancher from Rose, Nebraska, was first elected to Sand County Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2014. He succeeds Lynne Sherrod, a Colorado cattle rancher who has served as chairman since 2015. Sand County Foundation is a national nonprofit organization working at the intersection of agriculture and environmental improvement.

“Homer brings tremendous experience and landowner perspective to this role. We’re grateful to have him at the helm,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and CEO.

Blioux River Ranch Receives South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award

Blioux River Ranch of Castlewood has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award®.

The $10,000 award honors ranchers, farmers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 27 states. In South Dakota, the award is presented with the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association and the South Dakota Grassland Coalition.

Father and son, Barry and Eli Little, own and operate Blioux River Ranch in Hamlin County. They will be formally presented with the South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award at the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association’s Annual Convention in December.

Worth Ranch Receives Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award

Worth Ranch of Springview is the recipient of the 2024 Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award^®.

The award honors farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

Cork and Janet Worth raise beef cattle and own the 8,000-acre Worth Ranch in Keya Paha County. The Worths will be presented with $10,000 and a crystal award at the AFAN annual meeting in November.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 27 states. In Nebraska, the award is presented with Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (AFAN), Cargill and the Nebraska Environmental Trust.

Colorado Leopold Conservation Award Finalists Selected

Three cattle ranches are finalists for the 2024 Colorado Leopold Conservation Award®.

The award honors ranchers, farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

The finalists include Camblin Livestock and McIntyre Ranch of Maybell, Hamill Ranch of Hamilton, and Wagon Wheel Ranch of Yuma.

Leopold Conservation Award Comes to Minnesota

A prestigious award program that celebrates voluntary conservation efforts on farms, ranches, and forestland is coming to Minnesota.

The Leopold Conservation Award® honors farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor, American Farmland Trust, present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 27 states. In Minnesota the award is presented with state partners: Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, and Soil Regen.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to environmental improvement. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for “a land ethic,” 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. The Illinois application can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA

Oklahoma Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Oklahoma Leopold Conservation Award®.

The $10,000 award honors farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor, American Farmland Trust, present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 26 states. In Oklahoma the award is presented with 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

Marty Williams Receives Oklahoma Leopold Conservation Award

Marty Williams of Red Rock is the recipient of the Oklahoma Leopold Conservation Award®.

The award honors farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

Marty, a farmer from Noble County, was revealed as the award recipient at the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts’ Annual Meeting on February 26. 

Maryland Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Maryland Leopold Conservation Award®.

The $10,000 award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor, American Farmland Trust, present the Leopold Conservation Award to farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners in 27 states. In Maryland the award is presented with state partners: Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment, Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts, and Maryland Farm Bureau Inc.

Iowa Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Iowa Leopold Conservation Award^®.

The $10,000 award honors ranchers, farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 27 states. In Iowa, the award is presented with state partners: Conservation Districts of Iowa and Practical Farmers of Iowa.

California Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2024 California Leopold Conservation Award®.

The award honors farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 27 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. In California the $10,000 award is presented with Sustainable Conservation and California Farm Bureau Federation.

Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award®.

The $10,000 award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor, American Farmland Trust, present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 27 states. In Pennsylvania, the $10,000 award is presented with state partners: The Heinz Endowments, Horizon Farm Credit, and Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.

Jimmy Bramblett Joins Sand County Foundation Board

Jimmy Bramblett of Richland, Georgia, has joined the board of directors of the Sand County Foundation, a national nonprofit working at the intersection of agriculture and environmental improvement.

Bramblett is co-owner of Rolling Timbers Farm, where he prioritizes timber production, wildlife habitat and resource conservation. He served the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for more than 33 years in roles as the agency's Deputy Chief for Programs, Deputy Chief for Science and Technology, and State Conservationist of Wisconsin.

“We are thrilled to bring Jimmy’s extensive conservation leadership and perspective to our board,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and CEO.

Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award®.

The $10,000 award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor, American Farmland Trust, present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 27 states. In Wisconsin the $10,000 award is presented with state partners: Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

Utah Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Utah Leopold Conservation Award®.

The $10,000 award honors ranchers, farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 27 states. In Utah the award is presented with state partners: Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Western AgCredit and Utah Cattlemen’s Association.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to environmental improvement. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for what he called “a land ethic,” an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.

Carolinas Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Carolinas Leopold Conservation Award®.

The $10,000 award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 27 states. In North Carolina and South Carolina the award is presented with state partner Carolina Farm Trust.

New England Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2024 New England Leopold Conservation Award®.

The $10,000 award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 27 states. In New England the $10,000 award is presented with New England Forestry Foundation.

New Mexico Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2024 New Mexico Leopold Conservation Award®.

The award honors ranchers, farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 27 states. In New Mexico, the $10,000 award is presented with New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts, Quivira Coalition, New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau, and New Mexico Coalition to Enhance Working Lands (NMCEWL).

Kansas Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Kansas Leopold Conservation Award®.

The $10,000 award honors ranchers, farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

North Dakota Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2024 North Dakota Leopold Conservation Award®.

The $10,000 award honors ranchers, farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 27 states. In North Dakota, the award is presented with state partners: North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition, North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts and the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association.

Illinois Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Illinois Leopold Conservation Award®. The award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 27 states. In Illinois the award is presented with state partners: IL Corn and Illinois Soybean Association.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to environmental improvement. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for what he called “a land ethic,” an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.

The application deadline is May 1, 2024.

Schools Receive Pollinator Habitat Grants

Sand County Foundation is awarding pollinator habitat grants to agriculture and science programs at 16 high schools in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

This competitive grant program gives high school students hands-on experience growing native wildflowers and establishing habitat for imperiled insect pollinators and monarch butterflies.

Grant recipients receive native seeds and seedlings, consultation, and $1,000 to support project expenses.

Myers Family Farm Receives Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award

Myers Family Farm of Spring Mills is the 2023 Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award® recipient.

The award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

Brothers Joel and Don Myers, who own and operate Myers Family Farm, received the award at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg on January 8. They receive $10,000 and a crystal award for being selected.

Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award®. The award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 27 states. In Kentucky, the $10,000 award is presented annually with the Kentucky Agricultural Council and the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts.

Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may apply themselves. The application can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA. The application deadline date is March 31, 2024.