Empire State Today

Applications are now open for New York State's 2025 Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Leopold Conservation Award, as announced by New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. The award, presented in partnership with the Sand County Foundation, recognizes a farm and its nominating Soil and Water Conservation District for exceptional voluntary conservation efforts in soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land.

Commissioner Ball emphasized the significance of the award: “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. 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 must demonstrate successful incorporation of AEM best management practices into their farm operations, showing leadership in conservation efforts within the agricultural sector. Applications should be submitted by May 15, 2025, through county Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

The Leopold Conservation Award honors landowners who motivate others to explore conservation opportunities on their property. It is named after Aldo Leopold, whose 1949 book "A Sand County Almanac" introduced "a land ethic," advocating for an ethical relationship between people and their land.

In New York, the AEM Award has been integrated with the Leopold Conservation Award since 2020. The most recent recipient was Sunnyside Farms of Scipio Center alongside Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District in 2024.

The award is supported by various organizations including American Farmland Trust, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Farm Credit East, Audubon New York, among others.

Sand County Foundation awards private landowners across 28 states. The foundation aims to inspire private landowners to manage natural resources ethically for future generations' benefit.

For more information or to apply, interested parties can visit www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA or contact local county Soil and Water Conservation District offices listed at https://agriculture.ny.gov/soil-and-water/soil-water-conservation-district-offices.