The Leopold Conservation Award 2025 for Mississippi is presented by the Sand County Foundation in partnership with the American Farmland Trust and the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation. This $10,000 award honors private landowners—including farmers, ranchers, and forestland managers—who demonstrate exemplary voluntary conservation efforts to improve soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working lands. The program is part of a broader initiative spanning 28 states and is inspired by the legacy of Aldo Leopold, a pioneering conservationist whose book A Sand County Almanac promotes a “land ethic,” emphasizing a respectful and responsible relationship between people and the land they manage.
The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals who exceed regulatory requirements in the stewardship of their land, demonstrating a commitment to ecological sustainability and conservation innovation. Eligible nominees include individuals managing agricultural or forest lands in Mississippi. Landowners can either nominate themselves or be nominated by others. All nominations are reviewed by an independent panel composed of agricultural and conservation leaders specific to the state of Mississippi.
Applicants are required to submit detailed responses—up to 1,000 words each—addressing five core evaluation criteria: Conservation Ethic, Resilience, Leadership and Communication, Innovation and Adaptability, and Ecological Community. These sections explore the nominee’s proactive conservation actions, long-term sustainability planning, outreach and education efforts, willingness to experiment and adapt to change, and the integration of natural systems into their operational practices.
Additional information requested includes the number of acres managed, a one-line description of the operation, collaboration with governmental or nonprofit conservation entities, and usage of federal conservation programs or professional advisors. Three letters of recommendation must accompany the application, with at least one from a conservation-focused organization or agency. Nominees are also required to affirm their compliance with regulations, media availability, and participation in a professionally produced video.
The application deadline for the 2025 cycle is June 1, 2025. Nominations must be submitted via email to MississippiLCA@sandcountyfoundation.org. For further information and application resources, applicants are directed to visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.
