Wendy Mariko Johnson Receives Iowa Leopold Conservation Award
December 10, 2024
Wendy Mariko Johnson of Charles City has been selected as the 2024 Iowa Leopold Conservation Award® recipient.
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.
Wendy Mariko Johnson, who operates Center View Farms and Joia Food and Fiber Farm in Floyd County, was presented with the award at The Big Soil Health Event in Cedar Falls.
Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In Iowa, the award is presented with Conservation Districts of Iowa and Practical Farmers of Iowa.
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.
Earlier this year, Iowa landowners were encouraged to apply, or be nominated, for the award. Nominations were reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders from Iowa.
Farmer, conservationist, entrepreneur, mentor, and messenger: all describe Wendy Mariko Johnson.
Following a career in California’s fashion industry, the Iowa native and husband Johnny Rankin returned to Floyd County to farm with an innovative flair. Their brand of land stewardship combines soil, animals, and plants, to produce local food and a healthy ecosystem. It also led to the family farm evolving into two farms.
At Center View Farms they grow a diverse rotation of 1,000 acres of no-till corn, soybeans, and small grains with her parents. To improve soil health and protect water resources, they have established prairie strips, grow cover crops, and host research trials of 60-inch rows of corn.
As an organic eater, Wendy sought to grow more organic crops. That transition was aided by growing alfalfa due to its ability to suppress weeds while boosting soil fertility. With acres of forage available she began acquiring livestock.
The environmental and economic benefits of grazing led to the rebranding of 130 acres as the organically certified Joia Food and Fiber Farm. Where conventional corn once stood, there is now a perennial pasture for adaptive rotational grazing of sheep, cattle, hogs, and poultry sold at wholesale markets and direct-to-consumer.
“I am providing animals a good life, one that involves their innate abilities to get their food on their own,” Wendy said.
The holistic land management practices at Joia Food and Fiber Farm build soil health and biodiversity, sequester carbon, and enhance wildlife habitat.
Over the past decade more than 6,000 fruit, nut, and hardwood trees and shrubs have been planted. Silvopasture, the deliberate grazing of areas with trees, has been embraced. Mowing is delayed to encourage grassland birds to nest.
“I am helping clean water before it flows downstream from me. I am helping slow water down,” Wendy said of her efforts to restore riparian areas and stabilize streambanks.
Wendy now grows Kernza, a perennial grain known for its ability to infiltrate water and build the soil’s organic matter. She is vice president of Perennial Promise Growers Cooperative, which provides farmer-led, collective marketing, and technical support to other Kernza growers.
Wendy is invested in strengthening local food systems. She worked on the creation of 99 Counties, a direct-marketing food company for small to mid-sized producers, promoting regenerative agriculture. She also started Counting Sheep Sleep Company, a value-added business to promote regenerative organic grass-fed wool.
Wendy hopes that starting conservation-based farm businesses, and sharing the successes and failures that follow, will inspire other farmers to do the same. She believes conservation provides endless opportunities for farmers to grow their businesses, buffer against the worst effects of climate change, and provide the equity needed to do more on less land.
In addition to chairing the Iowa USDA Farm Service Agency’s state committee, Wendy is a prominent figure in other local, state, and national organizations promoting conservation, soil health, climate disruption mitigation, and farmland preservation. Her thought leadership is generously shared with audiences ranging from regional farmer networks and federal policymakers to local Charles City high school agronomy students.
Wendy looks to the future when describing her conservation advocacy, “I am part of a growing conservation ethic movement consisting of farmers and landowners who believe we are temporary land stewards and hoping that our conservation efforts will have long-term effects for future generations.”
ACCOLADES
“Wendy is an Iowa treasure and a deserved recipient of this award. Her conservation ethic runs deep. In addition to showcasing phenomenal conservation on her farm, Wendy has also inspired many others, in Iowa and beyond, to prioritize conservation for the long-term good of their farms and communities,” said Sally Worley, Practical Farmers of Iowa Executive Director.
“These award recipients are examples of how Aldo Leopold’s land ethic is alive and well today,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and CEO. “Their dedication to conservation is both an inspiration to their peers as well as a reminder to all how important thoughtful agriculture is to clean water, healthy soil, and wildlife habitat.”
“As the national sponsor for Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust celebrates the hard work and dedication of the award recipients,” said John Piotti, AFT President and CEO. “At AFT we believe that exemplary conservation involves the land itself, the practices employed on the land, and the people who steward it. This award recognizes the integral role of all three.”
"Wendy has embraced a wide variety of beneficial conservation practices in her operations. These innovative practices are important for the land, and also important for the surrounding communities, as she shares her vision and leadership in conservation," said Dien Judge, Conservation Districts of Iowa Executive Director.
Among the outstanding Iowa landowners nominated for the award were finalists: James Hepp of Rockwell City, Bob and Robby Jewell of Decorah, and Landon and Anne Plagge of Latimer.
Last year’s recipient was Loran Steinlage of West Union.
The Iowa Leopold Conservation Award is made possible through the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Conservation Districts of Iowa, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Sand County Foundation, Soil Regen, Farm Credit Services of America, Nancy and Marc DeLong, Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance, Iowa Corn, Iowa Farmers Union, Leopold Landscape Alliance, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
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SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION inspires and empowers private landowners to ethically manage natural resources so future generations have clean and abundant water, healthy soil to support agriculture and forestry, plentiful habitat for wildlife and opportunities for outdoor recreation. www.sandcountyfoundation.org