MADISON, WISCONSIN (August 26, 2025) — Three finalists have been selected for the 2025 Iowa 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 Iowa, the $10,000 award is presented with state partners: Conservation Districts of Iowa and Practical Farmers of Iowa.
The finalists are:
James Hepp of Rockwell City in Calhoun County. First-generation farmer, James Hepp, entered into his first crop-share agreement on 160 acres in 2020. Today, Hepp Farms consists of nearly 1,400 acres of corn and soybeans. Cover crops of oats and rye are grown to build soil health, suppress weeds, and reduce the need for herbicides. Soil- and sap-testing throughout the growing season helps fine-tune his management of nutrients. No-till and strip-till practices, relay cropping, and buffer strips help reduce erosion and improve water quality. James serves as an assistant commissioner on the Calhoun County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Bob and Robby Jewell of Decorah in Winneshiek County. Bob and Robby Jewell prioritize conservation at their 1,600-acre Jewell Enterprizes. Beef cattle are rotationally grazed using a mob grazing system that encourages regrowth of native grasses. To build cropland’s organic matter, the herd is grazed on cover crops. The Jewells also raise organic turkeys and pastured pork. Intermixed with fields of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and cereal grains, the Jewells manage 95 acres of wetlands, and 611 acres of timber. Protecting these highly erodible areas protects water quality while providing large, interconnected corridors of wildlife habitat.
Landon and Anne Plagge of Latimer in Franklin County. The Plagges grow corn, soybeans, oats, and raise hogs. With no-till practices and growing cover crops of radish, turnips, and cereal rye, they are improving their soil’s organic matter and its ability to infiltrate and retain moisture, which helps sequester carbon, and boost crop yields without increasing inputs. They own Green Acres Seed Co specializing in soil health consulting, and cover crop transition planning and seeding. They also founded Green Acres Milling, a farmer-owned oat processor. They advocate for increasing diversity in crop rotations and rural community preservation.
Iowa landowners were encouraged to apply, or be nominated, for the award. An independent panel of Iowa agricultural and conservation leaders reviewed the applications. The award recipient will be recognized at The Big Soil Health Event this fall. Last year’s recipient of the award was Wendy Johnson of Charles City in Floyd County.
The Leopold Conservation Award in Iowa is made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Conservation Districts of Iowa, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Sand County Foundation, Soil Regen, Farm Credit Services of America, Nancy and Marc DeLong, Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance, Iowa Corn, Iowa Farmers Union, Leopold Landscape Alliance, Loran and Brenda Steinlage of FLOLO Farms, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
“The contenders for the Leopold Conservation Award are truly leading by example,” said Sally Worley, Practical Farmers of Iowa’s Executive Director. “Their thoughtful care for the land is shaping a healthier, more resilient Iowa for generations to come.”
“We congratulate these honorees for their hard work and dedication to soil and water conservation. These families not only utilize the best conservation practices, they also work to raise awareness about conservation practices among their neighbors and they inspire others to do the right thing,” said Dien Judge, Conservation Districts of Iowa Executive Director.
“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.”
For more information, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.
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. sandcountyfoundation.org
