Iowa Leopold Conservation Award Finalists Selected

Four finalists have been selected for the 2026 Iowa 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 Iowa, the $10,000 award is presented with state partners: Conservation Districts of Iowa and Practical Farmers of Iowa.  

The finalists are:

Fred Abels of Holland in Grundy County. Fred Abels has integrated an impressive swath of practices into his farm. He plants corn and soybeans into a cereal rye cover crop. He uses strip-till to plant corn and no-till for soybeans. He set aside five acres of farmland for a nutrient removal wetland project, which he has opened for field days to support education efforts. He also partnered with the City of Cedar Rapids to construct a 600-foot saturated buffer in 2024. He uses Haney soil tests to determine the nutrient needs for his crops. No-till, cover crops, and native grass buffers have protected water quality and provide habitat for pheasants, deer, and songbirds. 

James Hepp of Rockwell City in Calhoun County. First-generation farmer, James Hepp, entered into his first crop share agreement on 160 acres in 2020. Today, Hepp Farms consists of nearly 1,650 acres of corn and soybeans. Cover crops of oats and rye are grown to build soil health, suppress weeds, and reduce the need for herbicides. Soil and sap testing throughout the growing season helps fine-tune his management of nutrients. No-till and strip-till practices, relay cropping, and buffer strips help reduce erosion and improve water quality. James serves as a Calhoun County Soil and Water Conservation District commissioner.

Bob and Robby Jewell of Decorah in Winneshiek County. Bob and Robby Jewell prioritize conservation at their 1,600-acre Jewell Enterprizes. Beef cattle are rotationally grazed using a mob grazing system that encourages regrowth of native grasses. To build cropland’s organic matter, the herd is grazed on cover crops. The Jewells also raise organic turkeys and pastured pork. Intermixed with fields of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and cereal grains, the Jewells manage 95 acres of wetlands, and 611 acres of timber. Protecting these highly erodible areas protects water quality while providing large, interconnected corridors of wildlife habitat. 

Kim Zihlman Andersen of Brighton in Jefferson County. Kim Zihlman Andersen is the driving force behind the transition to perennial fruit and nut crops at Zihlman Family Farms and Blueberry Bottom Farm. Hardwood timber forests are managed by removing invasives to allow higher-quality, native trees to thrive. Buffer strips between forests and cropland were established to reduce erosion, filter runoff, and provide habitat for pollinators and wildlife. The conversion of 91 acres of river bottom land from crop fields into wetland has provided water storage during high rainfall events and restored habitat for waterfowl and the endangered Indiana bat.

Iowa landowners were encouraged to apply, or be nominated, for the award. An independent panel of Iowa agricultural and conservation leaders evaluated the applications. The award recipient will be recognized this fall. Last year’s award recipients were Landon and Anne Plagge of Latimer. 

Sand County Foundation’s Iowa Leopold Conservation Award is made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Conservation Districts of Iowa, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Farm Credit Services of America, Nancy and Marc DeLong, Soil Regen, Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance, Iowa Farmers Union, Leopold Landscape Alliance, Loran and Brenda Steinlage of FLOLO Farms, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.   

 “This year’s finalists remind us that no two farms are alike, and neither are the ways farmers care for the land,” said Sally Worley, Practical Farmers of Iowa’s Executive Director. “There’s no single recipe for conservation, and it’s inspiring to see farmers finding what works for their land while building healthier farms and a stronger Iowa.”

“We congratulate these honorees for their hard work and dedication to soil and water conservation. These families not only utilize the best conservation practices, they also work to raise awareness about conservation practices among their neighbors and they inspire others to do the right thing,” said Dien Judge, Conservation Districts of Iowa Executive Director.

“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.”

For more information, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org. 

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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