Oechsner Farms honored by state for conservation efforts

NEWFIELD — Oechsner Farms, located in Newfield in Tompkins County, has been awarded the 2025 New York Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM)-Leopold Conservation Award. The honor recognizes a farm and its nominating soil and water conservation district (SWCD) who have “gone above and beyond” in the management of soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land, according to the Sept. 12 announcement from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Richard Ball, New York State agriculture commissioner, and partners from the Sand County Foundation visited Oechsner Farms to honor Thor Oechsner and his spouse, Rachel Lodder, who own and operate the farm, during a special ceremony. Oechsner Farms is a regenerative organic certified grain farm operated by Thor Oechsner and his team. Together, they farm more than 1,200 acres of hard red spring and winter wheats, hulless oats, common and tartary buckwheat, polenta type corn, rye, einkorn, grass/legume hay, and red clover as their main rotational crops, primarily for organic food-grade and craft-malt beverage markets. Prioritizing soil health has been a key ingredient in the farm’s success. As an active participant in New York’s Agricultural Environmental Management program, Oechsner Farms is a “conservation showcase in Tompkins County,” the department said. “Farms like Oechsner Farms play a central role in feeding our families while also protecting soil and water quality in communities across New York State,” Richard Ball, New York State agriculture commissioner, said in the announcement. “On behalf of the Department and New York State, I congratulate the Oechsner family and their team on receiving the esteemed AEM-Leopold Conservation Award and the Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District for their work with farms in the county and Finger Lakes Region. Their innovation and pride in their work, as well as their commitment to biodiversity and preserving wildlife habitats, are exemplary of the AEM-Leopold mission and an inspiration to other farms following in their footsteps.” The state made the announcement of ahead of Climate Week, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets said. Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust will present Leopold Conservation Awards to landowners in 28 states this year. Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes farmers who inspire others with their dedication to environmental improvement, per the state’s announcement. 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. New York’s longstanding Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Award paired with the Leopold Conservation Award program in 2020. In partnership with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the AEM-Leopold Conservation Award honors a farm and its nominating SWCD for their efforts to promote and protect the environment through the preservation of soil and water quality while helping to ensure farm viability for future generations. Earlier this year, New York State SWCDs were encouraged to identify and nominate the best examples of conservation success in their district. Applications were reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders from New York.