A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, Honoring Prairie Paradise Farms as the 2021 Leopold Conservation Award recipient.

WHEREAS, the Leopold Conservation Award, named for renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, recognizes farm and ranch families who demonstrate outstanding conservation leadership on their land and in their communities and a commitment to the health of South Dakota's natural resources, is exemplified by Prairie Paradise Farms as the recipient of the 2021 Leopold Conservation Award; and

WHEREAS, Levi and Crystal Neuharth, from Hayes, took over management of Prairie Paradise Farms in 2016, and make decisions based on the five principles of soil health; and

WHEREAS, a diverse rotation of no-tilled crops allows the Prairie Paradise Farms to capture different markets and spread out the risk from weather events, and the custom grazing business provides daily monitoring and frequent rotations for cattle to fresh pastures; and

WHEREAS, a herd of one hundred dairy goats and a free-range flock of one hundred and fifty laying hens are an important and beneficial enterprise for the farm as well as 4-H projects for Johnathon, Justin, and Kaydee Neuharth; and

WHEREAS, Prairie Paradise Farms hosts a family day in May where visitors partake in hands-on educational stations on topics including livestock, insects, germinating seeds, soil layers, and grain identification; and

WHEREAS, the Neuharths have planted nearly twenty miles of trees to create a wildlife habitat:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the Ninety-Seventh Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that Prairie Paradise Farms is recognized and commended for earning the 2021 Leopold Conservation Award in South Dakota.