SANDY, Utah. April 18, 2017 – Sand County Foundation, Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Western AgCredit and the Utah Cattlemen’s Association, are accepting applications for the 2017 Leopold Conservation Award, which honors Utah farmers and ranchers who demonstrate exemplary stewardship and management of natural resources.

The award, which is comprised of $10,000 and a crystal depicting Aldo Leopold, recognizes Utah farmers and ranchers who demonstrate outstanding stewardship and sustainable management of natural resources.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the Leopold Conservation Award recognizes extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. It inspires other landowners through these examples and provides a visible forum where farmers, ranchers and other private landowners are recognized as conservation leaders. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage, which he called “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological necessity.”

The Leopold Conservation Award will be presented at the Utah Farm Bureau’s November convention in Layton.

“The wise use of our resources and care for the land are of utmost concern for Utah farmers and ranchers, and continues to be a priority for us as we move into the future,” said Ron Gibson, president of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation. “As we take care of the land and water, it will take care of us — helping us produce food and fiber for America and abroad. I’m proud of the great efforts of Utah’s farmers and ranchers. I look forward to recognizing them for what they’ve been doing, and will continue to do, with this prestigious award.” 

“Conservationist Aldo Leopold made the following challenge to stewards of the land: ‘Examine each question in terms of what is ethically and aesthetically right, as well as what is economically expedient.’ Utah farmers and ranchers do an exceptional job of meeting this balance, and we encourage them to share their stories by applying for the Leopold Conservation Award,” said David Brown, president of Western AgCredit.

“Utah landowners have a great heritage of caring for the land,” said Brent Tanner, executive vice president of the Utah Cattlemen’s Association. “We are excited every year to see the new applications and hear of the great conservation efforts that are taking place in our state.” Applications must be postmarked by August 1, 2017 and mailed to Leopold Conservation Award, c/o Utah Farm Bureau Federation, 9865 S. State Street, Sandy, UT 84070. Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may self-nominate.

The award program is made possible through generous contributions from Western AgCredit, The Nature Conservancy, Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Utah Wool Growers Association and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. 

For more information, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.

ABOUT THE LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD

The Leopold Conservation Award is a competitive award that recognizes landowner achievement in voluntary conservation. The award consists of a crystal award depicting Aldo Leopold and $10,000. Sand County Foundation presents Leopold Conservation Awards in California, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

ABOUT SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION  

Sand County Foundation (www.sandcountyfoundation.org) is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to working with private landowners across North America to advance ethical and scientifically sound land management practices that benefit the environment.
ABOUT UTAH FARM BUREAU  
The Utah Farm Bureau is the largest general farm and ranch organization in the state with more than 30,000 member families. Its mission is to improve economic opportunities for the state’s farmers and ranchers, ensure America’s food security, protect the natural resources of our state, and improve the overall quality of life in the state and nation through political action, educational and informational means. Learn more at www.utahfarmbureau.org.
 ABOUT UTAH CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION  
The Utah Cattlemen’s Association (UCA) has represented Utah cattle producers since 1870, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy and by supporting and establishing the adoption of good principles of raising and marketing cattle and caring for the land we ranch on.  Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. http://www.utahcattlemen.org

ABOUT WESTERN AGCREDIT  
Western AgCredit is the leader within the agricultural finance industry with nearly 100 years of lending to farmers in the Intermountain West. It currently serves approximately 1,700 customers with a full range of credit and financial services, as well as providing financial and volunteer support to several agricultural and community activities, including, among others, Utah Farm Bureau, Utah Cattlemen’s Association, Utah Wool Growers Association, the FFA, and the 4-H.