SCIPIO, N.Y.— Sunnyside Farms of Scipio Center in Cayuga County has been selected for the New York Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM)-Leopold Conservation Award.

The award honors farmers and forestland owners who “go above and beyond” in the management of soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land.

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball joined the Sand County Foundation in announcing the recipient on Oct. 10. The ceremony recognized brothers Greg and Neil Rejman, who own and operate Sunnyside Farms, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets said.

Sunnyside Farms encompasses 7,500 acres nestled between Cayuga and Owasco Lakes. The farm is home to about 5,000 dairy cows with an additional 4,000 replacement stock. The Rejmans implement conservation practices with “thoughtfulness and purpose” throughout their farm for the benefit of water quality and climate, per the announcement. The practices include long-standing participation in AEM with the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District.

The Rejmans are active participants in education and outreach, which includes opening their farm to research, hosting training sessions, and holding tours for state agencies and local community and industry members, the department noted.

“New York’s AEM-Leopold Conservation Award is an annual opportunity to recognize landowners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water, and wildlife habitat management and who are dedicated to leaving the land better than how they found it, each and every day,” Ball said in the announcement. “We thank the Sand County Foundation for collaborating with us to host this most distinguished award and congratulate the Rejman family, Sunnyside Farms, and the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District for their incredible work stewarding the land in their care. You serve as an inspiration to other farm families across New York who are keeping their land healthy, productive, and thriving.”

Sand County Foundation, a national nonprofit conservation organization, presents a $10,000 cash award through the support of American Farmland Trust, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Farm Credit East, The Ida and Robert Gordon Family Foundation, Audubon New York, New York Farm Bureau, McDonald’s, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the New York State Agribusiness Association.