Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Applicants
February 04, 2026
Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Wisconsin 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.
Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In Wisconsin the $10,000 award is presented with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.
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 “a land ethic,” an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.
Applications may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application form can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA.
The application deadline is August 1, 2026. Applications must be emailed to WisconsinLCA@sandcountyfoundation.org.
Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of Wisconsin agricultural and conservation leaders. Last year’s recipient was Michael E. Berg of Blanchardville. To view profiles of all past recipients, click here.
“Wisconsin’s dairy farmers know that conservation is essential to the future of their farms and their communities,” said Chad Vincent, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Chief Executive Officer. “As a proud sponsor of the Leopold Conservation Award, it is an honor to support family-owned farms that use conservation practices to keep Wisconsin’s land, water, and dairy industry strong for generations to come.”
“At Wisconsin Farm Bureau, we believe in practical and profitable solutions that support agriculture, protect our environment and serve communities for future generations. We are proud to recognize those efforts as a supporter of the Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award,” said Brad Olson, Wisconsin Farm Bureau President. “I encourage farmers to apply or nominate someone who deserves this special recognition for their continued conservation efforts.”
“Leopold Conservation 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 Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award is made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Sand County Foundation, Culver’s, Mid-West Farm Report, Compeer Financial, Rural Mutual Insurance Company, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board, Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association, and Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association.
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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