Four finalists have been selected for the 2025 Utah 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 Utah the $10,000 award is presented with state partners: Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Western AgCredit and Utah Cattlemen’s Association.  

 

The finalists are: 

  • Larson Angus Beef of Washington County: Jeremy Larson’s rotational grazing system emphasizes long rest periods that benefits soil structure, plant diversity, water quality, and overall range health. He built rainwater catchments to make efficient use of precipitation in an arid region and developed miles of pipeline to deliver drinking water across the ranch. These improvements have enhanced wildlife habitat for big horn sheep, mule deer, and upland birds.
  • Pearson Ranch of Beaver, Millard and Iron counties: The Pearson family conserves water with efficient crop irrigation technology. They also improved their water infrastructure with pipelines and watering tanks that allow them to properly distribute where their beef cattle graze. They have also fenced off natural springs and riparian areas that have been over-grazing or damaged by wild horses. Revitalization of overgrown forests has created a vibrant ecosystem, with greater wildlife habitat and less fire fuel loads.
  • Straight Arrow Ranch of Piute County: Trevor Barnson and his parents Lynn and Laurie Barnson use a rotational grazing system designed to balance cattle production with the health of perennial grasses, forbs, and shrubs essential to sage grouse, elk, and mule deer. Minimum tillage and cover crops on their cropland help build organic matter, improve water infiltration, and reduce erosion. The use of integrated pest management, crop rotations, and biological controls, support a thriving ecosystem.
  • Wintch Livestock in Beaver, Millard, and Sevier counties: John Wintch and his sons Mark and Paul, have built more than 100 miles of fence and pipeline on their cow-calf beef ranch to better utilize land with rotational grazing. As early adopters of technology, their use of innovative virtual collars allows them to better track grazing patterns, manage livestock movement, and optimize forage use based on timing and frequency. Pivots on irrigation equipment were added to improve water conservation and crop yields.  

Utah landowners were encouraged to apply or be nominated for the award. An independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders from Utah reviewed the applications. This year’s recipient will be revealed at the Utah Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention in November. 

The first Utah Leopold Conservation Award recipient was Harold Selman Ranches of Tremonton in 2007. The 2024 recipient was Flying M Ranch of Hansel Valley. 

The Leopold Conservation Award in Utah is made possible thanks to the generous contributions from American Farmland Trust, Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Western AgCredit, Utah Cattlemen’s Association, Sand County Foundation, Utah Department of Natural Resources, CKP Insurance, JY Ferry & Son Inc., Producers Livestock Marketing Association, The Nature Conservancy, Utah Association of Conservation Districts, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, and Utah Partners for Fish and Wildlife. 


ACCOLADES

“In today’s world, conserving water and natural resources is paramount, and we commend these families for their efforts in that regard,” said ValJay Rigby, Utah Farm Bureau Federation President. “The Sand County Foundation is a strong ally, and this award shows the positive impact of collaborative efforts in advocating for responsible natural resources use. While we can honor only a select few families with this award, they truly represent the vast majority of farmers and ranchers in our state who feel a sense of responsibility to the land and animals.” 

“The Utah finalists for the Leopold Conservation Award exemplify the values we espouse – commitment to stewardship, innovation in agriculture, and a deep respect for the land. Their dedication inspires us all to think long-term about the health of our natural resources and the legacy we leave behind. We are proud to support and celebrate these families,” said David Brown, Western AgCredit Chief Executive Officer. 

“We are fortunate in Utah to have landowners who understand that their work is not simply production but also care. Throughout our state they demonstrate that stewardship of the land is part of their identity. The finalists for this award are living proof that agriculture and conservation advance together,” said Brent Tanner, Utah Cattlemen's Association Executive Vice President. 

“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 on the award, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.