California Leopold Conservation Award Finalists Selected

Three finalists have been selected for the 2025 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.

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 advocated 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 California, the $10,000 award is presented with Sustainable Conservation and the California Farm Bureau Federation.

The finalists are:

Hat Creek Grown of Hat Creek in Shasta County. Henry and Pam Giacomini raise more than 1,000 head of beef cattle, and manage more than 60,000 acres of leased, private, and federal lands. They also raise goats used to control invasive weeds that is rented to other landowners. They educate others on how properly managed grazing can improve soil health. To improve water quality, they have participated in stream temperature monitoring with the University of California. They have also demonstrated how grazing and improve rangeland and riparian areas.

Iron Horse Vineyards of Sebastopol in Sonoma County. The Sterling family grows cover crops between vine rows to retain moisture and prevent erosion. Soil health is also promoted with reduced tillage and mulching grape prunings. Since 1990 they have used recycled water from nearby Forestville in their vineyards and gardens. Their land’s riparian corridors, wetlands, and vernal pools provide habitat for bees, birds, insects, and wildlife. They are conducting a salmon habitat restoration project with the Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District.

Stemple Creek Ranch of Tomales in Marin County. Loren and Lisa Poncia take pride in building their soil’s health and providing wildlife habitat, while raising grass-fed beef cattle. The Audubon Society certified the ranch as bird-friendly for planting trees, sustainable grazing practices, and protecting riparian areas that attract migratory birds and critically endangered species. They regularly host ranch tours for consumers, ranchers, and soil scientists to learn about regenerative agriculture and carbon sequestration.

California landowners were encouraged to apply, or be nominated, for the award. An independent panel of California agricultural and conservation leaders reviewed the applications. The award recipient will be recognized at the California Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting in December. Bowles Farming Company of Los Banos in Merced County received the award in 2024.

The Leopold Conservation Award in California is made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Sustainable Conservation, California Farm Bureau Federation, The Harvey L. & Maud C. Sorensen Foundation, Bowles Farming Company, California Rangeland Trust, Farm Credit, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of California, Sand County Foundation, and California LCA recipient alumni.

ACCOLADES

“Working lands are where environmental solutions succeed or stumble, and dedicated land stewards are integral to the health of our ecosystem and communities,” said Ashley Boren, CEO of Sustainable Conservation, which has co-sponsored the award since its launch in California more than a decade ago. “Hat Creek Grown, Iron Horse Vineyards, and Stemple Creek Ranch are standout examples of natural resource stewardship while setting an inspiring standard for what’s possible when agriculture and conservation move hand in hand.”

“These exceptional farmers and ranchers demonstrate outstanding environmental stewardship through their daily farm and ranch practices, while continuing to provide safe, affordable food for Californians and consumers around the world. We deeply value our partnership and our shared commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture,” said Shannon Douglass, California Farm Bureau Federation President.

“These award finalists 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.”

For more information, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.