Wisconsin Ag Connection - Herricks Win 2014 Leopold Conservation Award

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Herricks Win 2014 Leopold Conservation Award
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 11/20/2014

A Monroe County couple has been chosen as the fifth recipient of Wisconsin's Leopold Conservation Award. Herricks Dairy Farm, a 600-cow dairy farm near Cashton owned by Jack and Pat Herricks, along with their children and their families, will be recognized in December during the annual meeting of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation in Wisconsin Dells. They will also be given a $10,000 cash prize and a Leopold crystal for demonstrating responsible stewardship and management of natural resources.

The Herricks have practiced no till farming since 1992. Their commitment to conservation practices includes soil erosion control measures, reduction of runoff into area waterways, forestry management, enhancement of wildlife habitat and careful manure management.

"This is a great award. It recognizes the lifetime of efforts that we've practiced on our farm," said Jack Herricks. "But for me personally, it offers another venue to spread my conservation ethic to more people. And I really look forward to doing that."

The award is being sponsored at the state level by the WFBF, along with Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, Badgerland Financial, Alliant Energy Foundation, American Transmission Company, DuPont Pioneer, Farm Credit, The Mosaic Company and The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.

The Herricks Family Farm was one of three finalists for the Leopold Conservation Award this year. The others were David & Leslie Meuer, Chilton; and Milk Source, LLC, Freedom.

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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