JY Ferry & Son, Inc. has been selected as the recipient of the 2019 Utah Leopold Conservation Award®.
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes farmers, ranchers and foresters who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land.
In Utah the award is presented annually by Sand County Foundation, Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Western AgCredit and Utah Cattlemen’s Association.
The Ferry family was presented with the $10,000 award and a crystal award November 22 at the Utah Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention in Layton.
“We congratulate the Ferry family for winning this award, and know of the great work they’ve done for generations to take care of the land,” said Ron Gibson, Utah Farm Bureau Federation President. “The Ferrys are great examples of the conservation ethic the Leopold name represents. We know there are many farmers and ranchers in our state committed to doing the right things for the land. We’re happy to partner with the Sand County Foundation and our great partners in Utah in presenting this outstanding award.”
“Western AgCredit is proud to sponsor the Leopold Conservation Award in Utah. These families have worked for generations to improve the quality and production capacity of their ranches. Conservation is a way of life to these families and we appreciate their commitment to being exemplary stewards of the land,” said David Brown, Western AgCredit CEO.
“The Utah Cattlemen’s Association congratulates the landowners in our state who are demonstrating a commitment of conservation to the land and the natural resources in their stewardship,” said Brent Tanner, Utah Cattlemen’s Association Executive Vice President.
Earlier this year, Utah landowners were encouraged to apply (or be nominated) for the award. Applications were reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders. Among the many outstanding Utah landowners nominated for the award were finalists: Half Circle Cross Ranch of Coalville in Summit County, and Ferril and Dorothy Heaton Family LLC of Alton in Kane County.
The first Utah Leopold Conservation Award recipient was Harold Selman Ranches of Tremonton in 2007. The 2018 recipient was Ercanbrack Livestock of Coalville.
The Leopold Conservation Award in Utah is made possible thanks to the generous contributions from Western AgCredit, Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Utah Cattlemen’s Association, Utah Association of Conservation Districts, The Nature Conservancy, Utah Wool Growers Association, Producers Livestock Marketing Association, and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
In his influential 1949 book, A Sand County Almanac, Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage, which he called “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological necessity.”
Sand County Foundation presents the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 20 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. To read the stories of other extraordinary landowners, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.
