Applications are now being accepted for the 2027 Illinois 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
Illinois the award is presented with
IL Corn and
Illinois Soybean Association.
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 applications may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found at
www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA.
The application deadline is February 15, 2027. Applications must be emailed to
IllinoisLCA@sandcountyfoundation.org.
Applications are evaluated by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders from Illinois. Last year’s recipients were Greg and Janis Thoren, farmers from Stockton. To view profiles of all past recipients,
click here.
“The Illinois Leopold Conservation Award recognizes farmers who are committed to protecting the natural resources that make Illinois agriculture successful,” said Matt Raben, IL Corn Marketing Board Chairman. “IL Corn is proud to support this award and recognize farmers who are putting conservation into practice on their farms. Their efforts to protect soil, improve water quality, and support wildlife demonstrate a commitment to caring for the land for future generations.”
“On behalf of the Illinois Soybean Association, we are honored to once again support the Illinois Leopold Conservation Award in partnership with our friends at IL Corn,” said Bryan Severs, ISA Chairman and corn and soybean farmer from Vermillion County. “Celebrating the outstanding conservation efforts that are actively protecting soil and water quality in our state is crucial as we continue to promote the benefits of sustainable farming practices.”
“These 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.”
Sand County Foundation’s Illinois Leopold Conservation Award is made possible through the generous support of American Farmland Trust, IL Corn, Illinois Soybean Association, Farm Credit Illinois, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Illinois, Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Compeer Financial, and the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership.
