NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/440846
moisture, for every time you work the soil you lose an inch of rainfall." But their farming practices are by no means perfect. "We had a 7-inch rain a month ago, and no matter what we do with terraces and no-till, we have soil movement," said Todd. "It's not good. We have to think what we could have done better. We can't do everything, but we can try to recognize our mistakes so we don't make them again." The Award The Eggerlings learned about the Leopold Conservation Award through their membership in Nebraska Cattlemen. They had to answer five open-ended questions about their farming and ranching practices, and had to pull references from everything they had done through the years. The Eggerlings have worked on research projects with the University of Nebraska Extension to see what no-till does to the soil; the Extension, Department of Environmental Quality and Environmental Protection Agency with the planning, development and implementation of their vegetative treatment systems; and the Environmental Trust, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and others on a myriad of conservation-related projects on their land. "It goes back to the Leopold conservation ethic," said Kristen, "that conservation is part of everything we do." Plus, the award is a record of the work they have done. "Whether we won or not, it was really cool to put that information together," said Kristen. "We want our kids, and their kids, and their kids to have this land, and we want people to know that agriculture and wildlife can co-exist." This last wish was quite evident when walking with the Eggerlings through their virgin prairie. Pheasant after pheasant rose from the tallgrass, grass that had just been grazed by cattle throughout the entire summer. They have also placed land in a conservation easement, preventing any development to it in perpetuity. "You'll also see someone else making more money down the road," added Todd, "so it becomes competitive in nature. There are people who think you can't afford to let financial opportunities go, and we think that more opportunities will come if you handle yourself appropriately. I work and let everything flow rather than chase something." By using this mindset, the Eggerlings remain adaptive with their land practices. How they grazed last year may not work this year, and there may be a more effective way to farm now than yesterday. "But if you have a narrow focus," said Todd, "you lose the idea that agriculture, wildlife and grasslands can co-exist." By keeping an open mind, the Eggerlings are accomplishing this goal every single day. ■ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015 • NEBRASKAland 23 The Eggerlings' tallgrass prairie, which just had cattle grazing on it last summer, was filled with pheasants during a recent winter walk, displaying that ranching, farming and wildlife can co-exist. The Leopold Conservation Award, presented by the Sand County Foundation, honors outstanding private landowners, including farmers, ranchers, and foresters, who have enhanced the natural resources on their lands through science and ethics. Those interested in applying should contact the Foundation at Sandcounty.net. Nebraska's Leopold Award winners are as follows: 2014 – Pelster Family; 2013 – Beel Family; 2012 – Buell Family; 2011 – Mathewson Family; 2010 – Kalkowski Family; 2009 – Bluestem Valley Farms; 2008 – A.B. Cox; 2007 – Rod & Amy Christen; 2006 – Wilson Ranch.