South Dakota Farm Bureau congratulates Cammack Ranch of Union Center, S.D., as they were recently announced as winners of the Leopold Conservation award, which honors private landowners for their conservation efforts.

Award applicants were judged on their demonstration of improved resource conditions, innovation, long-term commitment to stewardship, sustained economic viability, community and civic leadership, and multiple use benefits.

Gary and Amy Cammack, who are SDFB members, operate their ranch along with their children. They manage a cow-calf operation with 10,000 grazing acres. The ranch includes rotational grazing, constructed windbreaks, and they have planted over 30,000 trees.

Other South Dakota finalists included the Blair Brothers Angus Ranch of Vale, Johnson Farms of Frankfort and Jeff and Steve Smeenk families of Newell.

“Many of the Leopold Conservation honorees have been South Dakota Farm Bureau members, which speaks highly of the progressive and contentious caliber of our members,” said Krystil Smit, SDFB executive director.

The 2018 award recipient will be recognized at the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association’s Annual Convention in November. The Cammacks will receive $10,000 and a crystal award depicting Aldo Leopold.