Dave Tribbett Receives Maryland Leopold Conservation Award

Dave Tribbett of Ridgely has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the 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. 

Tribbett owns and operates Twin Maples Farms. He was presented with the Maryland Leopold Conservation Award at the Maryland Farm Bureau’s Annual Convention on December 8. 

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In Maryland the award is presented with The Campbell Foundation, Maryland Association of Conservation Districts, and Maryland Farm Bureau Inc.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others to consider conservation opportunities on their land. 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. 

Earlier this year, Maryland landowners were encouraged to apply, or be nominated, for the award. Applications were reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders from Maryland. 

ABOUT DAVE TRIBBETT

Dave Tribbett had already made his mark as a poultry industry innovator before he discovered the dual benefits of growing Giant miscanthus grass. 

The son of an FFA advisor started out by leasing some farmland and chicken houses while still in high school. With hard work, strategic diversification, and a forward-thinking commitment to sustainability, he never looked back. Today, his Twin Maples Farms raises more than 1 million chickens annually in eight poultry houses, and 1,500 acres of crops, including corn, soybeans, and lima beans.

Dave’s adaptability was evident when he pioneered the use of wooden trussed poultry barns. His 65-by-500-foot design improved construction efficiency, lowered costs, and became the regional industry standard.

In search of a better bedding for his chicken flocks, he began growing miscanthus, a sterile, non-invasive perennial grass. The cane-like plant reaches heights of 12 feet and produces up to 8-12 tons of biomass per acre. He planted the first 30 acres on areas that were erosion-prone, soils high in phosphorus, and otherwise unproductive cropland. 

The harvested grass provides a clean, soft, dry, absorbent, dust-free bedding, that reduces flies and pests, with less smell from ammonia. Miscanthus fields stabilize soils, filter runoff, improve water retention, and enhance carbon sequestration, with no herbicides and minimal fertilizer inputs needed. By drying naturally in the field, no further drying is required. This reduces energy use when compared to wood shavings that require intense energy.

Within a few years, Dave expanded his miscanthus production to 1,000 acres, significantly reducing legacy phosphorus and nitrate which historically have contributed to pollution in the Chesapeake Bay estuary. Off the farm, he advocated for the crop as an added-value resource for poultry producers, and an environmental buffer for Maryland’s waterways and ecosystems. 

The long-term soil health benefits of miscanthus, including increasing soil organic matter and reducing nutrient runoff, are well-documented at Twin Maples Farms. Data from 2020 showed a reduction in surface erosion by up to 97.7 percent on converted acres, along with a significant reduction in nitrate leaching and phosphorus runoff. In addition, nearly 600 tons of carbons are sequestered annually.

Twin Maples Farms farm serves as a living laboratory for research on miscanthus’s role in nutrient reduction, erosion control, and buffer efficacy. David believes it’s a new water infiltration tool with the ability to heal farmland damaged by hurricanes. He frequently hosts tours for students, farmers, policymakers, and community groups, to share his knowledge.

His leadership in environmental conservation didn’t stop there. 

He founded the Mid Atlantic Organic Resource Company (MAORC), which transforms agricultural by-products into high-quality organic compost. Marquis Roberts, the compost facility’s farm manager is credited with helping Dave achieve a closed loop system where resources are recycled and reused within a continuous cycle.  

Last year, MAORC diverted more than 19,360 tons of poultry and horse manure, hatchery and egg waste, and grain waste from landfills. These nutrient-rich agricultural by-products, coupled with miscanthus for carbon, helped MAORC produce 27,000 tons of organic compost sold to farmers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers, promoting soil health and resource efficiency.

Dave, who self-funded all his major conservation initiatives, has proven that environmental stewardship and agricultural success are not mutually exclusive. His proactive approach is setting a regional standard for conservation-minded agriculture, fostering a community-wide shift toward environmentally responsible practices. 

ACCOLADES

“Dave Tribbett is an influencer, and the region has benefitted tremendously from his inventive mind and risk-tolerant soul. A pioneer in Miscanthus production and use, and a dedicated advocate for composting and other innovations, we are happy to see Dave recognized for his exemplary leadership with this award. Thank you Dave for sharing your knowledge with so many,” said Samantha Campbell, President of The Campbell Foundation.   

“Dave Tribbett represents the absolute best of Maryland agriculture, remaining productive while dedicating his farm operation to sustainability,” said Jamie Raley, Maryland Farm Bureau President. “On behalf of all of Maryland Farm Bureau, we congratulate Dave Tribbett on this well-deserved recognition.”

“MASCD congratulates Dave Tribbett of Twin Maples Farms on being recognized with the Leopold Conservation Award,” said John Swaine, MASCD President. “His enthusiasm to test and develop innovative strategies is a real benefit to all of Maryland’s farmers.”

“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.”

Among the outstanding Maryland landowners nominated for the award were finalist, Matthew and Debra Hoff’s Cold Springs Farms of New Windsor in Carroll County. 

The Maryland Leopold Conservation Award is made possible through the generous support of American Farmland Trust, The Campbell Foundation, Maryland Association of Conservation Districts, Maryland Farm Bureau Inc., Delmarva Chicken Association, Maryland Department of Agriculture, Horizon Farm Credit, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Sand County Foundation, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Conservancy, ShoreRivers, and The Nature Conservancy.   

# # #

SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION inspires and empowers farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners to ethically care for the land to sustain water resources, build healthy soil, and enhance wildlife habitat. www.sandcountyfoundation.org