Pearson Ranch Receives Utah Leopold Conservation Award

Pearson Ranch of Minersville has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Utah Leopold Conservation Award^®.

The award honors ranchers, farmers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land. 

Pearson Ranch’s owners, Tammy Pearson, Jetta Robinson, and Seth Davie, were presented with the award at the Utah Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting. They receive $10,000 for being selected. 

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust will present Leopold Conservation Awards to landowners in 28 states this year. In Utah the award is presented with Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Western AgCredit, and Utah Cattlemen’s Association.  

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes farmers and forestland owners 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. 

Utah landowners were encouraged to apply, or be nominated, for the award earlier this year. Applications were reviewed by an independent panel of Utah’s agricultural and conservation leaders. 

ABOUT PEARSON RANCH

The Pearson Ranch’s story is one marked by resiliency. 

The resiliency it takes to grow crops and graze cattle in an arid environment, coupled with a ranch family’s resiliency to repeatedly rise above volatile markets and personal loss. 

Ralph and June Pearson, who began dairy farming and ranching in the 1940s, had four children. Hit hard by the post nuclear weapons testing era, the Pearsons and their sons Raul, Scott, and Shaun died from related illness between 1996 and 2016. Today the ranch is run by their daughter Jetta Robinson, her son Seth, and Shaun’s wife Tammy. 

The conservation of water has long been the focal point of the Pearson Ranch’s strong commitment to land stewardship and agricultural innovation. It dates to when Ralph Pearson served as president of the Twin M Conservation District and the Minersville Irrigation Company. 

Under his leadership, a pipeline system replaced a series of open canals that fed irrigated fields in the 1970s. Ever since, the Pearsons have upgraded their irrigation systems with technology that reduces water usage while increasing yields on their 600 acres of alfalfa. 

Since 2007 Utah’s Grazing Improvement Program has provided assistance to livestock producers to enhance grazing systems on private and public lands. This helped the Pearsons replace aging windmills with efficient solar pumping systems, and upgrade old wells powered by gas generators with energy-efficient solar technology. 

Installing extensive water lines to distribute water across their 8,000 acres of pastures has improved grazing utilization and distribution of their 600 head of Hereford and Angus beef cattle. The herd is rotationally grazed to maintain healthy forage and to provide ideal habitat for prairie dogs and sage grouse. Other investments include multiple 30-foot ring tanks for water storage, both on their ranch and on 129,000 acres of public land used for grazing. All water troughs are equipped with rescue ramps for birds and small wildlife.

Natural springs have been developed at Pearson Ranch to supply livestock and wildlife with drinking water. Springs and riparian areas damaged by wild horses and burros have been rehabilitated. 

Despite wild horses and burros being a politically polarizing issue, Tammy Pearson is credited with being a driving force behind reaching consensus on the Path Forward Coalition, a diverse group that included the Humane Society and Farm Bureau. 

“Simply put, Tammy is involved at every level – from her local county to the state and national stages, in all things public lands and agriculture,” said Redge B. Johnson, Director of Utah’s Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office. “When it comes to advocating for our lands and the agricultural community, she is the go-to person.” 

Watershed restoration is another arena where Tammy Pearson has excelled. Her local leadership in a stewardship project for the Beaver River watershed led to successfully treating thousands of acres of overgrown forests. This effort created a healthier and vibrant ecosystem for grazing livestock and wildlife habitats, while significantly decreasing the risk of wildfires. 

State officials often bring visiting dignitaries to the Beaver River watershed to demonstrate how active management is critical to forest health. Efforts to replicate his work across Utah are benefitting the ranchers and wildlife that rely on rejuvenated public lands.

The land ethic of the resilient Pearson family is expressed through the conservation practices they employ on their ranch, and through advocacy and outreach that provides for ranchers across the West.

ACCOLADES

“Caring for our water and other precious natural resources has never been more important in today’s world of farming and ranching,” said ValJay Rigby, President of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation. “We’re proud to recognize the Pearson family for their many years of dedication these values on their ranch. Their family has maintained a focus on the health of the landscape and wildlife, all while balancing the demands of their cattle ranch and making sure they leave it better for the next generation. We applaud them for their efforts. While only one family can receive this honor, we extend our sincere thanks to all the applicants – and to the many farmers and ranchers across Utah – who share a deep commitment to protecting the land and water that sustain us all.”

“We extend our congratulations to the Pearson family on receiving the esteemed Leopold Conservation Award. Their steadfast dedication to conservation and innovative land stewardship demonstrates how visionary leadership can shape a sustainable future,” said David Brown, President of Western AgCredit. “This recognition honors their commitment to preserving Utah’s natural resources and inspires others to follow their example.”

“The Utah Cattlemen’s Association is proud to honor the Pearson Ranch. They don’t just talk about stewardship; they set the standard for what a working ranch can achieve through dedication and innovation. The family’s leadership in advocacy and conservation makes them a benchmark for the entire cattle industry,” said Brent Tanner, Utah Cattlemen’s Association Executive Vice President.

“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.”

The Utah Leopold Conservation Award is made possible thanks to the generous contributions from American Farmland Trust, Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Western AgCredit, Utah Cattlemen’s Association, Sand County Foundation, Utah Department of Natural Resources, CKP Insurance, JY Ferry & Son Inc., Producers Livestock Marketing Association, The Nature Conservancy, Utah Association of Conservation Districts, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Utah Partners for Fish and Wildlife. To view past recipients of the Utah Leopold Conservation Award, visit www.sandcountyfoundation.org/Utah.