Wisconsin Ag Connection - Brickstead Dairy Wins 2017 Leopold Conservation Award

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Brickstead Dairy Wins 2017 Leopold Conservation Award
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 11/20/2017

A Brown County farmer has been chosen as the eighth recipient of Wisconsin's Leopold Conservation Award. Dan Brick of Brickstead Dairy near Greenleaf will be recognized in December during the annual meeting of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation in Wisconsin Dells. He will also be given a $10,000 cash prize and a Leopold crystal for demonstrating responsible stewardship and management of natural resources.

The operation has been in Dan's family for five generations, dating back to the 1840s. Since partnering with his father in the 1990s, Brick has expanded the dairy to 900 cows. Conservation remains at the heart of the business, as Brick plants his crops into a living cover crop such as wheat or winter rye to ensure the ground is continuously covered to prevent erosion.

"Many farmers are taking a lead role in promoting conservation practices and their efforts should be praised," said Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Jim Holte. "Congratulations to Dan for being recognized for his outstanding land stewardship. Brickstead Dairy is a shining example of a farm doing the right thing for the generations to follow."

The award is being sponsored at the state level by the WFBF, along with the Sand County Foundation, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Compeer Financial, Wisconsin Soybean Council, American Transmission Company, WE Energies, USDA NRCS and Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association.

Brickstead Dairy was one of three finalists for the Leopold Conservation Award this year. The others were Glen & Susan Wohlk, Rainbow Valley Farm, Almena; and Richard & Victoria Allemann, Alleman Acres, Montana.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the Leopold Conservation Award recognizes extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. It inspires other landowners through these examples and provides a visible forum where farmers, ranchers and other private landowners are recognized as conservation leaders.

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