Minnehaha Conservation District

CONGRATULATIONS TO ONE OF OUR OWN!

On March 30th, 2018, Mary Lou Lacey received the 2017 National Earth Team Special Recognition Award for assistance with the Earth Team program.

Well done, Mary Lou!

And congratulations are also in order for the 2018 Leopold Conservation Award finalists!

• Cammack Ranch of Union Center: a cow/calf ranch with 10,000 grazing acres owned by Gary and Amy Cammack. The Cammack family has implemented rotational grazing, constructed windbreaks, and planted over 30,000 trees on their ranch.
• Center of the Nation Cattle Company of Newell: a 107-year-old, fourth generation cow/calf ranch owned and managed by Jeff and Steve Smeenk, along with their wives Kim and Kay. The Smeenks practice rotational grazing and enhance sage grouse and other wildlife habitat on their land.
• Johnson Farms of Frankfort: a crop and commercial Angus farm owned and operated by the fifth generation of Johnsons. Using cover crops, no-till practices and a diverse crop rotation, the Johnsons are committed to building soil health and sharing a message of conservation to their community.
• Blair Brothers Angus Ranch of Vale: a family-owned Angus cow-calf, stocker and feedlot business. The family utilizes sage grouse friendly grazing and focuses on wildlife habitat in their planning.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the Leopold Conservation Award recognizes extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation on working land. It inspires other landowners through these examples and provides a visible forum where farmers, ranchers and other private landowners are recognized as conservation leaders. Award applicants are judged based on their demonstration of improved resource conditions, innovation, long-term commitment to stewardship, sustained economic viability, community and civic leadership, and multiple use benefits.

The 2018 award recipient, who will receive $10,000 and a crystal depicting Aldo Leopold, will be announced in late April and recognized at the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association’s Annual Convention on November 28.