In 1940, my great-grandfather, Joe Mendel, started the Mendel family farm, located outside of Doland, South Dakota. What started as a diversified farm with beef, hogs and small grains is today an operation focused on corn, soybeans, wheat and sunflowers, as well as a 1,000-head feedlot and 600-head cow-calf operation.

With state funding and local collaboration, Wisconsin’s producer-led Watershed Program has grown to support dozens of groups improving soil and water quality. By 2025, its success inspired efforts across the Midwest, proving that farmer-driven solutions can ripple far beyond state lines.

If I asked 10 different producers, “How good of quality do you think your CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) forage is for grazing?” I would expect that nine would respond with something to the extent of “Not much better than trees.”

Meet Nebraska’s 2025 Leopold Award winners and learn about the ethic driving their work.

We need pollinators to sustain our food supply and our ecosystems.

McGraw decided to pivot and instead “do what the farm wants to do.”

Like nearly every ranch, we want to make sure our operation is one that is not just here for the next generation, but better than it was when we started. That’s why, in addition to herd genetics and efficiency, we pay close attention to conservation and the productivity of our land, too.

The third generation of the Cates family to farm within Lowery Creek's twists and turns is committed to conservation and providing high-quality grass-fed beef.

The survey results highlight both the growing emphasis on soil health and the challenges crop advisers face in helping farmers adopt effective soil management practices. By understanding the perspectives and practices of crop advisers, it becomes clear that providing more comprehensive training and fostering greater face-to-face interactions may help overcome barriers such as cost and knowledge gaps.