The Back 40

By Jeannette E. Warnert, Conservation Agriculture The timeworn water tower that stands in front of the Giacomazzi Dairy in Kings County is a hallmark of the farm’s endurance. It proclaims, “Since 1893.” Dino Giacomazzi, the fourth generation to run the operation, said cows have been producing milk and the land producing feed every single day [...]

In celebration of Earth Day, Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman announced the Beel family  as the recipient of the 2013 Leopold Conservation Award, the state’s premier award for private lands conservation, during a ceremony at the State Capitol on Friday. The award, which is presented by Nebraska Cattlemen, Cargill, and Wisconsin-based Sand County Foundation, recognizes outstanding, [...]

Wisconsin-based Sand County Foundation and the Kentucky Agricultural Council have announced the launch of the Leopold Conservation Award in Kentucky. Kentucky is the ninth state to offer the $10,000 award, which honors farmers, ranchers, and foresters who do outstanding work to enhance natural resources as part of their agricultural operations.  Applications are being accepted until July 31, [...]

The Wyoming Stock Growers Association and Sand County Foundation have announced Wayne and Judy Fahsholtz of  Padlock Ranch as the recipients of Wyoming’s 2013 Leopold Conservation Award. Given as part of the Wyoming Environmental Stewardship Award Program, the Leopold Conservation Award recognizes private landowners who practice responsible land stewardship and management. The award will be [...]

Texas ranchers Gary and Sue Price have been named the recipients of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) Environmental Stewardship Award. The Prices own and operate 77 Ranch, located near Blooming Grove. Gary and Sue have a long tradition of enhancing land, water, and wildlife habitat on their ranch. Their efforts on and off of [...]

Researchers from Boston University, Harvard, and the University of Wisconsin, including Dr. Stan Temple, emeritus professor of wildlife ecology, senior fellow at the Aldo Leopold Foundation, and a Director of Sand County Foundation, used the meticulous phenological records of Henry David Thoreau and Aldo Leopold to determine that the warming climate is causing some plant [...]