JEFFERSON CITY, MO, FEB. 11, 2021 - The Department of Natural Resources’ Soil and Water Conservation Program has partnered with Missouri Farmers Care and the Sand County Foundation to present the 2020 Missouri Leopold Conservation Award to Missouri farm family Joshlin and Addie Yoder of Leonard. The annual award recognizes extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation, inspires other landowners by example and helps the general public understand the vital role private landowners play in conservation success. The award comes with a $10,000 cash prize and a commemorative crystal plaque.
The Yoders participated in a monitoring project through the Edge-of-Field Program and Soil Health Partnership. They gathered data from soil testing, weather monitoring and yield comparisons to examine how cover crops impact soil health, water quality, crop yields and profitability. The project was made possible by Section 319 grant funding administered through the department’s Soil and Water Conservation Program, as well as support from the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council and Missouri Soybean Association.
"Winners of this award inspire other farmers with their dedication to conservation and land stewardship," said Kurt Boeckmann, director of the department’s Soil and Water Conservation Program. "Projects like this promote farmer-to-farmer communication about how Missouri’s conservation efforts are improving water quality across the state. The Yoders have definitely demonstrated their dedication to Missouri’s soil and water conservation effort."
To learn more about the Yoder family and the Missouri Leopold Conservation award, visit mofarmerscare.com/lca/. For more information about the Department of Natural Resources’ Soil and Water Conservation Program, visit dnr.mo.gov/env/swcp/.
The Missouri Leopold Conservation Award Program is made possible by support from the Sand County Foundation, American Farmland Trust, Missouri Farmers Care, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, Missouri Department of Conservation, MFA, Inc., Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, McDonald’s, and The Nature Conservancy in Missouri.