SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Four finalists have been selected for the inaugural Minnesota 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.

The finalists:

• Hannah Bernhardt of Finlayson in Pine County.
• Dawn and Grant Breitkreutz of Redwood Falls in Redwood and Renville counties.
• Tom Cotter of Austin in Mower County.
• Meadowbrook Dairy of Sartell in Stearns County.

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 called for “a land ethic,” an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.

The Leopold Conservation Award in Minnesota is made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, Soil Regen, General Mills, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Minnesota, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Audubon Minnesota, Minnesota Corn, Minnesota Ducks Unlimited, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation, Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association, Minnesota Wheat Research & Promotion Council, Pheasants Forever in Minnesota, Renovo Seed, Saddle Butte Ag Inc., and The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota.

Read more at https://www.morningagclips.com/four-finalists-selected-for-minnesota-leopold-conservation-award/ .