Thorp Man Selected as Finalist for the 2019 Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award
Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 -- 10:12 AM
-Three finalists have been selected for the prestigious 2019 Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award®.Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes farmers and foresters who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land. In Wisconsin the $10,000 award is presented annually by Sand County Foundation, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association. One local finalist is Bill Ciolkosz of Thorp. Bill was nominated because he expanded dairy facilities and feed and manure storage areas at his 200-cow dairy farm and they were designed to meet conservation and efficiency goals. Water runoff from more than 100 acres of cropland is diverted across grass waterways before reaching a diversion dam to reduce erosion and protect water quality.
Bill also plants pine trees, and maintains food plots and ponds for wildlife habitat. This year’s recipient will be revealed at the November meeting of the Board of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection in Madison. The award will be presented December 8 at the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting in Wisconsin Dells.
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