Last year’s recipient was Troy Firth of Spartansburg
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others to consider conservation opportunities on their land. (Courtesy image)
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania, the $10,000 award is presented with The Heinz Endowments, Horizon Farm Credit, and Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.
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.
Award nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner or landowners may nominate themselves. The nomination form can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/
The nomination deadline date is August 1, 2025. Nominations must be emailed to PennsylvaniaLCA@
Nominations are reviewed by an independent panel of Pennsylvania’s agricultural and conservation leaders. Last year’s recipient was Troy Firth of Spartansburg. To view profiles of all past recipients, click here.
“Farmers and landowners across Pennsylvania continue to lead the way in conservation and sustainability. From enhancing soil health to protecting water quality and wildlife habitats, their dedication to responsible stewardship benefits both agriculture and the environment,” said Tom Truitt, Horizon Farm Credit CEO. “The Leopold Conservation Award recognizes these efforts, and Farm Credit is proud to support those who are shaping a more sustainable future for the communities we serve.”
“Farmers are always looking for ways to save their resources and to utilize technology so that the next generation has a place,” said Chris Hoffman, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President. “We want to celebrate those who use technology and have farming practices that preserve our natural resources. We want to encourage Pennsylvania farmers to showcase their dedication to stewardship and innovative approaches to conservation by applying for the 2025 Leopold Conservation Award.”
“How we manage land and water resources has a profound impact on the quality of life, and the security of our food supply for future generations,” Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “The Leopold Conservation Award recognizes farmers who have been steadfast, forward-thinking models of ethical, effective soil and water conservation, always keeping their eyes on the lives they impact now and in the future.”
“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 Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award is made possible through the generous support from American Farmland Trust, The Heinz Endowments, Horizon Farm Credit, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Sand County Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission, and The Nature Conservancy.
For more information on the award, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.
SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION inspires and empowers private landowners to ethically manage natural resources so future generations have clean and abundant water, healthy soil to support agriculture and forestry, plentiful habitat for wildlife and opportunities for outdoor recreation. www.
