Finalists Selected for Maryland Leopold Conservation Award

Two finalists have been selected for the 2025 Maryland 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 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 Maryland, the $10,000 award is presented with state partners: Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts, Maryland Farm Bureau Inc., and The Campbell Foundation.

The finalists are:

Cold Springs Farms of New Windsor in Carroll County: Matthew and Debra Hoff’s dairy farm utilizes no-till practices to protect soil structure and reduce sediment runoff during storms. As an early adopter of cover crops, planting small grains, legumes, and grasses between corn and soybean rows also enhances the soil’s health. A dragline manure system reduces carbon emissions from tractors and reduces soil compaction by driving liquid tankers over fields.

Twin Maples Farms of Ridgely in Caroline County: Dave Tribbett raises poultry and grows corn, soybeans, and lima beans at Twin Maples Farms. He also grows 750 acres of giant Miscanthus, a non-invasive perennial grass that grows on marginal lands and can be used for poultry bedding. In 2011, he founded the Mid Atlantic Organic Resource Company to develop an organic compost as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers.

Maryland landowners were encouraged to apply, or be nominated, for the award. An independent panel of Maryland agricultural and conservation leaders reviewed the applications. The award recipient and finalists will be recognized at the Maryland Farm Bureau Annual Convention in December. Last year’s recipient was the Hutchison Brothers of Cordova in Talbot County.

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

ACCOLADES

“This year’s finalists demonstrate a broad range of conservation practices on their working lands. This stewardship sets an excellent example for others, and I’m inspired by their innovation in areas of alternative crops, promoting soil health, and thoughtful fuel-saving measures. Congratulations to all the finalists! Thank you for all your hard work in contributing to a vibrant watershed,” said Samantha Campbell, President of The Campbell Foundation.

“Maryland farmers have been longtime leaders in voluntary conservation practices, and this year’s finalists for the Leopold Conservation Award truly exemplify that. Maryland Farm Bureau is proud to support the mission of the Sand County Foundation, and we commend these farm families for their commitment to sustainability,” said Jamie Raley, Maryland Farm Bureau President.

“MASCD congratulates the finalists for this year’s Leopold Conservation Award! Maryland has a strong track record for adopting conservation practices, and the award is a great opportunity to recognize farmers who go above and beyond to apply Leopold’s conservation ethic to the management of their farms and advocate for conservation within their communities. Thanks to both finalists for their extraordinary stewardship of our natural resources,” said MASCD President John Swaine, III.

“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.