NYS accepting applications for AEM-Leopold Conservation Award

The state is accepting applications for New York State’s 2025 Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM)-Leopold Conservation Award, which is presented in partnership with the Sand County Foundation of Madison, Wisconsin. The annual award honors a farm and its nominating soil and water conservation district for “extraordinary achievement” in voluntary conservation of soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land. In New York, the $10,000 award is presented in partnership with national sponsor American Farmland Trust, and state partner Cornell Cooperative Extension, New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball said in the Feb. 11 announcement.

"The distinguished New York AEM-Leopold Conservation award is a great way to honor New York’s farmers who work hard to protect our environment and combat climate change; preserve soil health and water quality; and leave the land better than they found it,” Ball said. “I thank the Sand County Foundation and all of our partners for their collaboration in presenting this award and encourage eligible farms to work with their local Soil and Water Conservation District to apply.” Eligible candidates successfully incorporate AEM best-management practices into the management of their farm, assisting the farmer in meeting business and environmental goals. Applicants should demonstrate conservation leadership and outreach in the agricultural sector and be an inspiration to other farmers. Applications must be received by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets by May 15. An independent panel of conservation leaders will review the nominations. Interested candidates should contact their local county soil and water conservation district. Contact information can be found at: https://agriculture.ny.gov/soil-and-water/soil-water-conservation-district-offices The application is available at: www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA.

About the award

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the Leopold Conservation 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, per the state’s announcement. Sand County Foundation presents Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In New York, the longstanding AEM Award joined with the Leopold Conservation Award program in 2020, most recently awarding Sunnyside Farms of Scipio Center and the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District in 2024 with the fifth annual AEM-Leopold Conservation Award. The New York AEM-Leopold Conservation Award with the support of American Farmland Trust, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Sand County Foundation, The Ida and Robert Gordon Family Foundation, Farm Credit East, Audubon New York, New York Farm Bureau, New York State Agribusiness Association, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. New York State’s annual Agricultural Environmental Management Award winners are chosen from nominees submitted by county soil and water conservation districts from around the state. The first Agricultural Environmental Management Award was presented in 2002; prior to that, the award was known as the Agricultural Stewardship Award, the state said.