A prestigious award that celebrates voluntary conservation by farmers, ranchers and other landowners is coming to Montana.
Montana is the latest state where the Sand County Foundation will present the Leopold Conservation Award®.
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land.
Stacey Barta works for the Montana Department of Natural Resources has been a key figure in organizing the Montana award.
“The Leopold Conservation Award celebrates individual landowner responsibility and commitment to improve land health,” said Barta. “The program recognizes landowners for improving their local environments while having a positive impact on the original American small business to family operation.”
The award application criteria focus on five key areas: responsible management of natural resources, sustainable revenue, leadership, overall land health, innovation and outreach.
“Farmers and ranchers across the state are by nature hard-working and salt-of-the-earth people,” said Barta. “They do great things across the state and I think it’s time for some recognition. The Leopold Award provides that recognition statewide as well as nationwide. So, it gives a chance to shine a positive light on a producer or an operation that maybe has been doing things great for 50 years and they just keep doing their job. Because they what they do and they have a love for the land.”
In Montana, Governor Steve Bullock’s Office, Montana Department of Agriculture, and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Rangeland Resources Committee will join the Sand County Foundation in presenting the $10,000 award to the first recipient from Montana later this year.
“Take a look at the award criteria on the website and nominate that person in your neighborhood that you know is worthy of the award,” said Barta. “Or if you’re one of those people that’s been doing great things you’re certainly welcome to nominate yourself too. Industry and organization and stakeholder Partners There’s an opportunity that would like to discuss to be a sponsor or be a part of this award in Montana. Just get a hold of me and we can talk about it further.”
Applications for the first Montana Leopold Conservation Award are now being accepted. The application may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may apply themselves. The application can be found here.
Applications must be postmarked by July 1, 2019 and mailed to: Leopold Conservation Award c/o Stacey Barta, Montana DNRC 1539 11th Avenue P.O. Box 201601 Helena, MT 59620.
After a slow start to spring, warmer weather allowed for some fieldwork to get underway in Montana.
USDA reports that 11% of barley, 4% of lentils and 10% of spring wheat has been planted.
While, winter wheat ratings continue to improve, with 31% excellent, 57% good, 11% fair and just 1% rated poor.
The Montana Hemp Advisory Committee will meet this Friday, April 26th at 1:30 pm at the Montana Department of Agriculture in Helena (302 N. Roberts).
A draft agenda shows the committee will be discussing Administrative rules, licensing fees, hemp processor fees among other businesses items
For more on the hemp advisory committee visit agr.mt.gov.
On Tuesday, the CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Kendal Frazier announced his plans for retirement.
Kendal’s career began as a farm broadcaster in Kansas, where he also served as director of communications for Kansas Livestock Association, before moving to Denver, Colo., to join the staff of the National Cattlemen’s Association (NCA), predecessor organization to NCBA.
NCBA will begin the search process to select a new CEO immediately, and Frazier will remain in place to assist with the transition process, until Dec. 31, 2019.
-Reported by Lane Nordlund/MTN new
