Four finalists have been selected for the 2025 Minnesota 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 Minnesota, the $10,000 award is presented with state partners: Minnesota Soil Health Coalition and Soil Regen.
The finalists are:
Hannah Bernhardt of Finlayson in Pine County. At Medicine Creek Farm, Hannah Bernhardt uses a rotational grazing system to raise beef cattle. The rotation is adjusted annually to promote biodiversity above and below the ground. By improving the soil’s health and capacity to hold water, the farm is more resilient to drought and excess waterfall. Hannah installed two ditch crossings for livestock to protect the Medicine Creek, which is in the St. Croix River watershed. Portable solar arrays power most of the fencing used for the farm’s grazing paddocks.
Tom Cotter of Austin in Mower County. The combination of reduced tillage, cover crops, and livestock grazing have led to a dramatic improvement to soil health at Cotter Farms. In 2016 it became the first in Mower County to be certified as a Clean Water Farm. Tom grows a multi-species mix of cover crops to protect the soils of his corn, soybean, sweet corn, green pea, alfalfa, sunflower, hemp, and oat fields. Every acre of cover crops is grazed by his grass-fed beef cattle. Tom actively promotes to soil health to other farmers at state and national events.
Didrikson Farms of Badger in Roseau County. Dana, Michelle, Thor and Kelsey Didrikson rotationally graze yearling beef cattle. By carefully managing the grazing patterns of their cattle, they have improved soil health, reduced erosion, and promoted the growth of native vegetation that benefits livestock and wildlife. They have improved seeded native grasses on 160 acres of pasture. They utilized a Conservation Stewardship Program contract to grow 80 acres of perennial wildflowers to support butterflies and beneficial pollinators.
Meadowbrook Dairy of Sartell in Stearns County. John, Mary Lou, Alex, Krissy, and Jake Udermann practice no-till and grow cover crops to minimize soil erosion, enhance biodiversity, and improve soil’s fertility and organic matter. Buffer strips along streams and ditches have been expanded to 50 feet to collect runoff from crop fields. About 100 acres of wetlands have been restored by seeding native grasses and wildflowers, which enhances pollinator and wildlife habitat. Meadowbrook Dairy hosts research projects and conservation outreach events.
Minnesota landowners were encouraged to apply, or be nominated, for the award. An independent panel of Minnesota agricultural and conservation leaders reviewed the applications. The award recipient will be recognized at The Premier Soil Health in December.
The recipients of the inaugural Minnesota Leopold Conservation Award last year were farmers Dawn and Grant Breitkreutz of Redwood Falls.
The Leopold Conservation Award in Minnesota is made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, Soil Regen, General Mills, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Minnesota, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Audubon Minnesota, Compeer Financial, Minnesota Corn, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation, Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association, Minnesota Wheat Research & Promotion Council, Pheasants Forever in Minnesota, Renovo Seed, Saddle Butte Ag Inc., and The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota.
“Soil Regen is proud to be a part of the Minnesota Leopold Conservation Award as we honor and celebrate great stewards of the land who are leading the way in conservation and regenerative agriculture,” said Liz Haney of Soil Regen.
“The work these finalists are doing to grow healthy, nutrient dense food through practices that lead to clean water, nutrient cycling and reduced emissions in Minnesota is nothing short of amazing. These finalists are true leaders in the future of agriculture,” said Mark Gutierrez, Minnesota Soil Health Coalition Executive Director.
“The Minnesota Leopold Conservation Award contenders are a testament to the strong conservation ethic of Minnesota farmers and ranchers. These operations are good examples of innovation within the sustainable agricultural world and set a great example for all of us,” said Troy Daniell, State Conservationist for Minnesota NRCC.
“These award finalists 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, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.
SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION inspires and empowers farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners to ethically care for the land to sustain water resources, build healthy soil, and enhance wildlife habitat. www.sandcountyfoundation.org
