By Scout Nelson
Three finalists have been selected for the 2024 Kansas Leopold Conservation Award, honoring farmers and forestland owners who excel in managing soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land.
Named after renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, this award celebrates landowners dedicated to environmental improvement. Leopold's influential 1949 book, "A Sand County Almanac," emphasized an ethical relationship between people and the land they manage.
The Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In Kansas, the $10,000 award is presented in collaboration with the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts and Ranchland Trust of Kansas.
The finalists for 2024 are:
Barby Ranch of Protection:
Bill Barby rotationally grazes his cow-calf herd in Clark and Comanche counties. His year-round grazing system, supported by a solar-powered pipeline watering system, increased carrying capacity and stocking rate by 40 percent while improving vegetative and soil health. Prescribed fire and mechanical removal of invasive eastern red cedar trees have improved habitat for wildlife, including the Lesser Prairie Chicken.
Janus Farms of Cherryvale:
Dr. Phil Eastep has enhanced wildlife habitat and biodiversity on his Montgomery County farmland with prescribed burning, rotationally grazing beef cattle, and removing invasive species such as cedar and sumac. To prevent erosion and promote soil health, he has planted over 125,000 trees and constructed a riverbank stabilization project. He has hosted botanical and endangered wildlife studies and established pollinator habitats with native flowering plants.
Glenn and Barbara Walker of Brookville:
The Walkers improve soil health, wildlife habitat, and water distribution on their properties in Ellsworth, Lincoln, Rice, Russell, and Saline counties. By using rotational grazing to feed their beef cattle, they manage grassland to improve habitat for greater prairie chickens, turkeys, and deer. Removing invasive red cedar trees has enhanced water resources. Several of their properties are enrolled in the Kansas Walk-in Hunting program.
Kansas landowners were encouraged to apply or be nominated for the award. An independent panel of Kansas agricultural and conservation leaders reviewed the applications. The award recipient will be recognized at the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts’ 80th Annual Convention in Wichita in November.
The first Kansas Leopold Conservation Award recipient was selected in 2015. Ray and Susan Flickner of Wichita received the award in 2023.
“Kansas Association of Conservation Districts is excited to recognize these outstanding landowners who are committed to conservation on their land,” said Dan Meyerhoff, KACD Executive Director. “We are proud to partner with Sand County Foundation and the Ranchland Trust of Kansas to give these families the recognition they deserve."
“Ranchland Trust of Kansas is proud to be part of recognizing Kansas ranchers and farmers for their stewardship of their land,” said Barth Crouch, Ranchland Trust of Kansas Chairman. “All of the finalists are deserving of the award which is really recognition of their management efforts and sacrifice to bring their land to its highest potential.”
“These award finalists are examples of how Aldo Leopold’s land ethic is alive and well today. Their dedication to conservation shows how individuals can improve the health of the land while producing food and fiber,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and CEO.
“As the national sponsor for Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust, celebrates the hard work and dedication of the Kansas award finalists,” said John Piotti, AFT President and CEO. “At AFT we believe that conservation in agriculture requires a focus on the land, the practices and the people and this award recognizes the integral role of all three.”
“ITC Great Plains applauds these exceptional stewards of the land. They not only recognize the immediate benefit of conservation but also the benefits derived for future generations,” said Dusky Terry, President ITC GP. “We are committed to environmental responsibility, and we are pleased to help recognize their outstanding commitment.”
Photo Credit: leopold-conservation-award
Categories: Kansas, Sustainable Agriculture