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The Kevin Wiltse family of Timken has been named the 2025 recipient of the Kansas Leopold Conservation Award, a prestigious honor for landowners who excel in soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat management on working land. The award, presented by the Sand County Foundation with support from American Farmland Trust and state partners, carries a $10,000 prize and recognizes outstanding voluntary conservation efforts.

Kevin and Amanda Wiltse run Wiltse Family Farms with their three children and Kevin’s mother. The family’s operation includes native range and dryland cropland, where they have adopted practices that improve drought resilience and environmental sustainability. Their approaches include rotational grazing of livestock on native grasses and cover crops, and transitioning large areas of traditional cropland into perennial vegetation to boost soil structure, enhance water retention and support wildlife habitat without cost-share assistance.

The award was presented at the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts Annual Convention. The Leopold Conservation Award honors the legacy of conservationist Aldo Leopold and highlights landowners whose stewardship serves as a model for others.