The Illinois Leopold Conservation Award, named in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, has announced the three finalists for its inaugural year. This prestigious award recognizes farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners across 27 states who demonstrate exceptional dedication to the care of land, water, and wildlife habitats.

The finalists for the inaugural Illinois Leopold Conservation Award are Frey Family Farms of Dahlgren in Hamilton County, Rademacher Farms of Gifford in Champaign County, and Jean Stewart of Rossville in Vermilion County.

Frey Family Farms has made remarkable contributions to conservation by planting thousands of trees and establishing wetland areas to enhance groundwater supplies and provide habitats for wildlife and pollinators. They employ cover crops and no-till practices to minimize erosion, increase biological activity, and sequester carbon.

Rademacher Farms has adopted a crop production system that prioritizes no-till practices and roller-crimped cover crops to improve water quality and soil health. Their approach effectively controls weeds and prevents runoff, while they actively share their experiences with other farmers and policymakers.

Jean Stewart has been a dedicated advocate of no-till practices for over three decades, focusing on soil health, erosion prevention, and reduced diesel costs. He has been an early adopter of cover crops and has implemented buffer strips and terraces to manage soil and water erosion.

The recipient of the Illinois Leopold Conservation Award, along with a $10,000 prize, will be announced during the Farm Progress Show in Decatur in August. The Illinois Leopold Conservation Award is made possible through the support of organizations like American Farmland Trust, IL Corn, Illinois Soybean Association, Sand County Foundation, and others.

By recognizing outstanding farmers through the Leopold Conservation Award program, Illinois showcases the enduring relevance of Aldo Leopold's land ethic. These individuals demonstrate that through conservation efforts, it is possible to improve land health, preserve natural resources, and sustain agricultural productivity.

Photo Credit: Sand County Foundation