Four Finalists Selected for Minnesota Leopold Conservation Award

Four finalists have been selected for the inaugural Minnesota 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.

Named in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, this 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.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In Minnesota, the $10,000 award is presented with state partners: Minnesota Soil Health Coalition and Soil Regen.

The finalists are:

Hannah Bernhardt of Finlayson in Pine County. At Medicine Creek Farm, Hannah Bernhardt uses a rotational grazing system to raise beef cattle. The rotation is adjusted annually to promote biodiversity above and below the ground. By improving the soil’s health and capacity to hold water, the farm is more resilient to drought and excess waterfall. Hannah installed two ditch crossings for livestock to protect the Medicine Creek, which is in the St. Croix River watershed. Portable solar arrays power most of the fencing used for the farm’s grazing paddocks.

Dawn and Grant Breitkreutz of Redwood Falls in Redwood and Renville counties. At Stoney Creek Farm, the Breitkreutzes have converted a conventional row crop and cow/calf operation into a regenerative farming showcase. They grow a diverse rotation of corn, soybeans, oats, and cereal rye, using a no-till and cover cropping system. Cattle are grazed across much of their farmland to increase its organic content. In addition to 675 acres of permanent pasture and some remnant prairies to prevent erosion, shoreline along the Minnesota River has been restored.

Tom Cotter of Austin in Mower County. The combination of reduced tillage, cover crops, and livestock grazing have led to a dramatic improvement to soil health at Cotter Farms. In 2016 it became the first in Mower County to be certified as a Clean Water Farm. Tom grows a multi-species mix of cover crops to protect the soils of his corn, soybean, sweet corn, green pea, alfalfa, sunflower, hemp and oat fields. Every acre of cover crops is grazed by his grass-fed beef cattle. Tom actively promotes to soil health to other farmers at state and national events.

Meadowbrook Dairy of Sartell in Stearns County. John, Mary Lou, Alex, Krissy, and Jake Udermann practice no-till and grow cover crops to minimize soil erosion, enhance biodiversity, and improve soil’s fertility and organic matter. Buffer strips along streams and ditches have been expanded to 50 feet to collect runoff from crop fields. About 100 acres of wetlands have been restored by seeding native grasses and wildflowers, which enhances pollinator and wildlife habitat. Meadowbrook Dairy hosts research projects and conservation outreach events.

Minnesota landowners were encouraged to apply, or be nominated, for the award. An independent panel of Minnesota agricultural and conservation leaders reviewed the applications. The award recipient will be recognized at The Premier Soil Health Event in Mankato, December 3-4.

The Leopold Conservation Award in Minnesota is made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, Soil Regen, General Mills, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Minnesota, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Sand County Foundation, Audubon Minnesota, Minnesota Corn, Minnesota Ducks Unlimited, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation, Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association, Minnesota Wheat Research & Promotion Council, Pheasants Forever in Minnesota, Renovo Seed, Saddle Butte Ag Inc., and The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota.

“We are so excited to bring the Leopold Conservation Award to Minnesota this year,” said Liz Haney of Soil Regen. “There are so many deserving growers in this state, and we are happy that they will be recognized for all of their conservation work and stewardship ethics.”

“This year’s Minnesota Leopold Conservation Award contenders, showcase Minnesota producers who have found innovative ways to maximize profitability in concern with environmental stewardship which makes for a more sustainable future for their farming operation as well as society,” said Troy Daniell, State Conservationist for Minnesota NRCS. “These types of operations set the example for other operations all across America.”

“These award finalists are examples of how Aldo Leopold’s land ethic is alive and well today. Their dedication to conservation shows how individuals can improve the health of the land while producing food and fiber,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and CEO.

“As the national sponsor for Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust, celebrates the hard work and dedication of the Minnesota award finalists,” 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.”

For more information, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.