The $10,000 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.

Berg, a Lafayette County farmer, was revealed as the award recipient at the November 13 meeting of the Wisconsin Board of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection in Madison. He will be formally presented with the award at the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting on December 7.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In Wisconsin the award is presented with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

About the Leopold Conservation Award

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others to consider conservation opportunities on their land. In his influential 1949 book, A Sand County Almanac, Leopold advocated for “a land ethic,” an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.

Earlier this year, Wisconsin landowners were encouraged to apply, or be nominated, for the award. Nominations were reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders from Wisconsin.

Michael Berg views conservation through a long lens. His life’s work has taken place at Berg Family Farm in the hilly, ecologically unique Driftless Area of southwest Wisconsin. The family has worked for generations to keep topsoil on the land and out of the flood-prone Pecatonica River.

Legacy practices: Contour strips installed in 1952; no-till farming adopted in the 1970s; field days held in the 1980s to demonstrate soil-friendly practices to neighbors.

The Bergs worked with Natural Resources Conservation Service staff to analyze drainage and then installed nearly two miles of terraces to divert runoff. These terraces are planted in native grasses and wildflowers to support pollinators.

Michael and his wife Diane planted more than 25,000 pine and walnut trees on about 75 acres of marginal farmland, creating woodlands that provide timber income and habitat for deer, bobcat, and bear. Prior to retiring from dairy in 2002, the family built two manure storage facilities to protect water quality. After dairying, Michael and his son Taylor transitioned to rotationally grazing Red Angus beef cattle and seeded pastures with Birdsfoot trefoil to improve forage and reduce erosion.

The centerpiece of Michael’s conservation work is nearly a mile of restored riverbank completed in 2020 using rock riprap, covered and reseeded to reduce siltation. Grassland buffers of at least 16 feet line both sides of the river, and large tree root balls were placed in-channel to deflect currents and create fish habitat.

Michael says conservation measures are feasible because the farm is profitable; in turn, conservation enhances profitability. He was the first in Lafayette County to join a phosphorus-water quality trading experiment with the village of Argyle. He also helped found the Pecatonica Pride Watershed Association, a multi-stakeholder group focused on river improvement and conservation outreach.

Accolades

“Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is proud to partner with Sand County Foundation and the Leopold Conservation Awards to recognize farmers like Michael Berg, whose stewardship of the land reflects the care and commitment Wisconsin farmers bring to every acre and animal.” — Chad Vincent, CEO, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin
“Wisconsin farmers are proving that conservation is not just a smart choice; it is a vital investment in both the land and future of agriculture. The Berg family embodies this commitment…” — Brad Olson, President, Wisconsin Farm Bureau
“Through numerous efforts throughout the decades, Michael has implemented soil and water conservation efforts on his own farm and been a leader for others in the conservation community…” — Randy Romanski, Wisconsin DATCP

Kevin McAleese, President and CEO of Sand County Foundation, noted that award recipients demonstrate Aldo Leopold’s land ethic in practice. John Piotti, President and CEO of American Farmland Trust, praised recipients for their integrated approach to land, practices, and stewardship.

Final Notes

Finalists for the 2025 Wisconsin award included Andy Bensend (Dallas, Barron County), Brattset Family Farm (Jefferson County), and Pat and Michelle Socha (Marathon County).

The Leopold Conservation Award in Wisconsin is made possible by American Farmland Trust, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Sand County Foundation, Culver’s, Compeer Financial, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board, Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association, and Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association.

To view past recipients of the Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award, visit SandCountyFoundation.org/Wisconsin.

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