About the ranch
Sarah Sortum and Adam Switzer are siblings and fourth-generation ranchers committed to the stewardship of Switzer Ranch. They express a land ethic passed down from their parents, Bruce and Sue Ann, by implementing agricultural conservation practices and connecting others with nature.
In addition to custom-grazing beef cattle on 12,000 acres of native prairie, the Switzer family also operates a nature-based tourism business. Calamus Outfitters offers lodging, event space, river float trips, and eco-tours of the Sandhills.
“Our focus really started to shift from being solely a cow-calf operation to being an operation with biodiversity goals about 12 years ago,” Sarah says.
Levi and Crystal Neuharth make farming decisions based on the five principles of soil health:
Keep the soil covered.
Keep living roots growing as much as possible.
Include diversity in plant communities.
Integrate livestock.
Levi is a founding member and current chairman of the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, and the couple took over management of Prairie Paradise Farms, near Fort Pierre, S.D., in 2016.
This commitment to soil health has earned Prairie Paradise Farms the South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award. This was announced on Earth Day by Gov. Kristi Noem and the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Prairie Paradise Farms of Fort Pierre named conservation award winner; Promotes importance of soil health drgnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from drgnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Published Saturday, April 24, 2021
The May Ranch of Lamar has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 Colorado Leopold Conservation Award.
The May Ranch is owned and operated by the Dallas and Brenda May family of Prowers County. The conservation practices that the Mays have implemented on their cattle ranch have improved the wildlife habitat, water quality and grass and soil health.
The award, given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, recognizes ranchers, farmers, and forestland owners who inspire others with their voluntary conservation efforts on private, working lands.
The Mays will be presented with the award June 21 at the Colorado Cattlemen s Association s 2021 Annual Convention held at the Double Tree by Hilton in Grand Junction.
5 hours ago in Agriculture Photo: WNAX
Prairie Paradise Farms of Fort Pierre has been named as the winner of the South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award. The award will be presented December 1 in Rapid City at the annual convention of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association. Prairie Paradise Farms is operated by Levi and Crystal Neuharth. Levi says they incorporate several environmentally friendly practices on their operation including making sure they have good soil health.
Levi Neuharth is the current Chairman of the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition and believes in the importance of keeping the soil healthy and that’s why he practices no till and rotational grazing and plants cover crops.