South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Applicants

Applications are being accepted for the 2026 South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award®. 

The $10,000 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. 

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In South Dakota, the award is presented with the South Dakota Grassland Coalition and a new parter, the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition. 

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 what he called “a land ethic,” an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage. 

Award applications may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application form can be found at sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA.

The application deadline is March 7, 2026. Applications must be emailed to SouthDakotaLCA@sandcountyfoundation.org. The award recipient must be available to host a tour and video production team during the summer and participate in a fall award presentation. 

The 2025 award recipient was Stomprud Angus Ranch of Mud Butte. 

“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. “We’re pleased to welcome the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition as a new partner in presenting the award.”

“The South Dakota Soil Health Coalition is pleased to partner on the South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award,” SDSHC Executive Director Cindy Zenk said. “A healthy and productive landscape is vital to the long-term success of our communities, and it’s an honor to help acknowledge the good work these land stewards are doing across the state.”

“Farmers and ranchers understand the importance of land stewardship because our life’s work of raising crops and livestock, and the future of agriculture in South Dakota, depend on healthy soils and grasslands,” said Doug Sombke, South Dakota Farmers Union President.

“As the national sponsor for Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust celebrates the hard work and dedication of the recipients of this award,” 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 Leopold Conservation Award Program in South Dakota has been made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, South Dakota Grassland Coalition, South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, Sand County Foundation, South Dakota Farmers Union, South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, South Dakota Farm Bureau Federation, South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks; South Dakota State University College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Audubon Great Plains, Bad River Ranches, Belle Fourche River Watershed Partnership, Blue Bell Ranch, Cammack Ranch, Daybreak Ranch, Ducks Unlimited, First Dakota National Bank, Jim and Karen Kopriva, Millborn Seeds, North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education, South Dakota Agricultural Land Trust, South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts, South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, South Dakota Pheasants Forever, South Dakota Soybean Association, The Nature Conservancy, Todd Mortenson family, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Partners for Fish and Wildlife, and Wagner Land & Livestock.

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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