Pennsylvania will become the 14th state to the present the Leopold Conservation Award, a prestigious honor that recognizes voluntary conservation by farmland owners, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and Heinz Endowments.
“Pennsylvania Farm Bureau welcomes this opportunity to promote the inaugural Leopold Conservation Award in the state as another occasion to recognize and reward farmers, who are going above and beyond in adopting Best Management Practices on their farms to protect the environment, while maintaining the future economic viability of their farming operations,” Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Rick Ebert said.
The Leopold Conservation Award, under the Sand County Foundation, is presented to farmers, ranchers, and foresters for extraordinary achievement in conservation on private working lands.
The award will be presented at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in January, along with $10,000 granted to the recipient.
“Care of land and water resources is deeply ingrained in the culture of Pennsylvania’s farmers and foresters,” Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “The 2019 Farm Show will focus on telling the inspirational stories of Pennsylvania agriculture to an audience of millions who visit in person and through the media. The department is proud to shine the Farm Show spotlight on agriculturists who inspire others by honoring Aldo Leopold’s legacy of conservation.”