Leopold award finalists for 2026 selected 

Three finalists have been selected for the 2026 California Leopold Conservation Award.

Named in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award honors farmers, ranchers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land. 

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In California, the $10,000 award is presented with Sustainable Conservation and the California Farm Bureau.

The finalists are: 

• Iron Horse Vineyards of Sebastopol in Sonoma County. The Sterling family, which runs the farm, uses regenerative vineyard practices to protect water and wildlife. They use recycled water for irrigation and frost protection, restore coho salmon habitat along Green Valley Creek and improve soil health through cover crops, compost, reduced tillage and precision farming. 

• Sardella Ranch of Sonora in Tuolumne County. Since 2015, owners Mike and Julie Sardella have opened the ranch as a live fire training and testing ground for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and Motherlode Prescribed Burn Association, helping refine strategies for fuels reduction and invasive weed control. Their 2013 conservation easement ensures this active stewardship, along with the ranch’s historic, cultural and ecological resources, will be protected in perpetuity.

• Spottswoode Estate Winery and Vineyard of Helena in Napa County. After the unexpected death of founder Mary Novak’s husband in 1977 put the family business at risk, she chose to keep the vineyard going and helped set the course for decades of innovation, from early organic farming to today’s integrated regenerative practices. That land ethic is embedded across the operation, with vineyard, winery and leadership staff all invested in continually improving how the business cares for soil, water and wildlife.

The award recipient will be recognized at California Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting in December. Stemple Creek Ranch of Tomales in Marin County received the award in 2026.

“These exceptional farmers and ranchers demonstrate outstanding environmental stewardship through their daily farm and ranch practices, while continuing to provide safe, affordable food for Californians and consumers around the world,”  California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass said. “We deeply value our partnership and our shared commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture.”

For more information, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.

In this edition…

• Regenerative label payoff remains murky
• Paintballs among new tools allowed for hazing wolves
• Influence starts with engaged Farm Bureau members
• USDA seeks to ease organic certification process, costs
• From the Fields: Chris Jergenson, Merced and Stanislaus counties organic farmer
• From the Fields: Ben Lyons, Solano County farmer
• From the Fields: Domenic Carinalli, Sonoma County organic dairy farmer and conventional winegrape grower
• From the Fields: Katie Herzog, Monterey County agave grower
• New 'smart' farm tech targets vegetable production
• Growth in organic milk presents market challenges
• Advocacy in Action: Packaging requirements, labor, beef cattle, trade, compost, Roadless Rule and disaster relief
• How you can make the switch to regenerative farming
• Summit seeks to strengthen agritourism
• Leopold award finalists for 2026 selected