Reposted from Morning AgClips posted on 9 October 2025

This award recognizes landowners who inspire others
with their dedication to environmental improvement

Four finalists have been selected for the 2025 Pennsylvania 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.

Named in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, this award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to environmental improvement. 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.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In Pennsylvania, the award is presented with The Heinz Endowments, Horizon Farm Credit, and Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.

The finalists are:

Burk-Lea Farms of Chambersburg in Franklin County: Clint and Kara Burkholder grow cover crops and diverse crop rotations to reduce erosion, support soil biology, and improve water retention. Their dairy farm’s recirculating flush system and manure separator work together to conserve water and repurpose nutrients. Solids and sand are recycled as bedding, while nutrient-rich liquids fertilize crops. This closed-loop system minimizes runoff, supports soil fertility, and reduces environmental risks, while enhancing cow comfort and barn hygiene.

Burk-Lea Farms of Chambersburg in Franklin County (Photo provided)

Jim Hershey of Elizabethtown in Lancaster County: The Hershey family grows 500 acres of corn, soybeans, and wheat, and market 1.7 million chickens and 6000 hogs annually. For decades they have practiced no-till and grown cover crops to reduce soil erosion, improve water infiltration, and enhance biodiversity. Jim has been an innovator with cover crop interseeding. The Hershey farm has hosted research trials related to nitrogen efficiency, and the impact of cover crops on soil moisture and temperature, weed control, and yield, with Penn State.

Jim Hershey of Elizabethtown in Lancaster County (Photo provided)

Maple Valley Cattle Company of Meyersdale in Somerset County: Mike, Amanda, and Evelyn Butterfield employ rotational grazing practices to enhance pasture productivity and improve soil health. They utilize cover crops to reduce soil erosion, increase organic matter, and promote biodiversity. They avoid using pesticides and herbicides, opting for integrated pest management strategies to control pests while protecting beneficial insects and wildlife. The farm’s woodlands, wetlands, and native grasslands are preserved to support biodiversity.

Maple Valley Cattle Company of Meyersdale in Somerset County (Photo provided)

McElhaney Family Farm of Hookstown in Beaver County: The McElhaneys converted row crop fields into to a grass-based rotational grazing system for beef cattle in the 1990s.
They invested in stabilizing stream banks to protect water quality and support biodiversity. Improvements to their fencing, barnyard, and water infrastructure with local, state, and federal assistance have reduced erosion. Dick and David McElhaney built stream crossing to move cattle between 29 paddocks reseeded with native cool and warm season grasses.

McElhaney Family Farm of Hookstown in Beaver County (Photo provided)

Pennsylvania landowners were encouraged to apply, or be nominated, for the award.
An independent panel of Pennsylvania agricultural and conservation leaders reviewed the applications. The award will be presented during this winter’s Pennsylvania Farm Show.
Last year’s award was presented to Troy Firth of Spartansburg in Crawford County.

The Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award is made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, The Heinz Endowments, Horizon Farm Credit, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Sand County Foundation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission, and The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania.

ACCOLADES

“Pennsylvania farmers are the original stewards of our environment, protecting our water, soil, and land for future generations,” Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “The four finalists exemplify the rich diversity of Pennsylvania agriculture. But their farms also demonstrate the diversity of forward-thinking management practices Pennsylvania farmers are investing in to feed the future of their operations and our nation’s food supply.”

“On behalf of Farm Credit, we congratulate these outstanding Pennsylvania producers,” said Tom Truitt, Horizon Farm Credit CEO. “The annual Leopold Conservation Award recognizes agriculturalists who emphasize the importance of investments and farming practices that positively impact the quality of our environment for generations to come. We are proud of the efforts these producers put forth and the leading role they play in the future of their local communities.”

“These four 2025 Leopold Conservation Award finalists all represent the variety of commodities, commitment to sustainability, and culture of innovation that define Pennsylvania agriculture,” said Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Chris Hoffman. “These families bring passion, dedication, and skill to managing their operations, while inspiring their fellow farmers to build their own conservation legacies. Their examples also show what is possible to the next generation of agricultural professionals – the future producers of food, fuel, and fiber for an ever-expanding global marketplace. Farm Bureau is proud to be a part of recognizing their achievements.”

“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 inspires and empowers farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners to ethically care for the land to sustain water resources, build healthy soil, and enhance wildlife habitat. www.sandcountyfoundation.org