Carolinas Leopold Conservation Award Finalists Selected

Two finalists have been selected for the 2025 Carolinas Leopold Conservation Award^®.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the prestigious award is presented in 28 states to farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water, and wildlife habitat in their care.

The award is named in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac”, Leopold advocated for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.

In North Carolina and South Carolina the award is presented annually by Sand County Foundation, national sponsor American Farmland Trust, and regional partners: Carolina Farm Trust and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service of North Carolina and South Carolina.

The finalists are:

• Grayhouse Farms of Stony Point, North Carolina: Brothers Jimmy and Andy Gray grow cover crops and implement no-till practices to reduce soil erosion and protect water quality at their dairy farm. Their farmland is enrolled in four conservation easements and is home to two stream mitigation sites. Among their 500 acres of timber production are two properties enrolled in the Forest Stewardship Program, where controlled burns are used to manage loblolly pine stands. Six waterfowl impounds were created to enhance habitat.

• Zeb Winslow of Scotland Neck, North Carolina: Zeb Winslow utilizes strip and no-till practices while growing corn, soybeans, small grains, and cotton on the Lower Coastal Plain. Probes that measure the infiltration rate and moisture storage capacity of soils are used to collect data regarding the impacts of fertility management on crop yields. Zeb’s innovative use of tile drainage has made his farm a hub for research. He serves on the Fishing Creek Soil and Water Conservation District Board.

The award recipient, who will be revealed later this year, receives $10,000. Earlier this year, owners of farmland and forests in the Carolinas were encouraged to apply, or be nominated, for the award. Applications were reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders.

The Carolinas Leopold Conservation Award is made possible through the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Carolina Farm Trust, Sand County Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service of North Carolina and South Carolina, and Soil Regen.

“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.”