Montana Leopold Conservation Award Finalists Selected

Three finalists have been selected for the 2026 Montana 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. 

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 the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 28 states. In Montana, the $10,000 award is presented with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and the Rangeland Resources Program.

“These finalists demonstrate the many ways our Montana farmers, ranchers, and forested landowners are the best stewards of our lands,” said Governor Greg Gianforte. “Their innovative management of land and water resources goes hand in hand with maintain productive farm and ranchland operations. I’m grateful for the example they set as caretakers of our working landscapes.”

The award finalists are:

Barthelmess Ranch of Malta in Phillips County: Chris and Deb Barthelmess, along with Leo and Darla Barthelmess and their children, work with conservation partners to enhance wetlands, improve water distribution, and support wildlife habitat. Rotationally grazing their beef cattle and early adoption of virtual fencing technology prevents overgrazing the landscape, allowing native grasses to recover and flourish. Improved grazing practices have lessened their reliance on growing hay for winter feeding, which strengthens the ranch’s economic resilience. Leo is a founder of the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, a rancher-led nonprofit that supports stewardship, education, and collaboration across the Northern Great Plains.

Living Sky Grains of Three Forks in Broadwater and Jefferson counties: Franck and Kari Groeneweg grow flax, canola, camelina, sunflower, buckwheat, yellow peas, dryland corn, mustard, lentils, wheat, and other grains at their dryland farm using innovative techniques that prioritize conservation and soil health. With home-brewed compost and other biological products they have created a closed-loop system that minimizes the need for external inputs like phosphate and potash. With continuous cropping and no-till practices they positively impact the water cycle. To increase the presence of beneficial insects they have established pollinator strips.     

Veseth Ranch of Malta in Phillips County: Each year, Dale and Janet Veseth host the Montana Conservation Corps to install beaver dam analogs, and conduct plant and bird surveys. Throughout the year, their cattle are rotationally grazed across 90 pastures and bale grazed on hay meadows during the winter. To maintain soil cover and improve water infiltration, they grow perennial vegetation instead of annual crops in a harsh, semi-arid environment. Last year the Veseths announced they will gift their ranch to the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance at the end of their ranching careers. The rancher-led nonprofit supports stewardship, education, and collaboration across the Northern Great Plains. 

Montana landowners were encouraged to apply, or be nominated, for the award. An independent panel of Montana agricultural and conservation leaders evaluated the applications.

The award recipient will be revealed later this year. Last year’s award recipient was Thomas Herefords of Gold Creek in Powell County. 

Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award in Montana is made possible through the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Rangeland Resources Program, Sibanye-Stillwater, AgWest Farm Credit, Montana Grazing Lands Coalition, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Montana Farm Bureau Federation, Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, Soil and Water Conservation Society, Western Landowners Alliance, Western Sustainability Exchange, and World Wildlife Fund.

For more information on the award, 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 health soil, and enhance wildlife habitat. www.sandcountyfoundation.org