You don't need to be invited to Leopold's shack near Baraboo. It is open to the public and you can talk with folks there at the Leopold Foundation. Leopold's primary conservation work with farmers was in western Wisconsin at a place called Coon Valley.
Thanks for this, Ken. I have not visited The Shack, although I hope some day that will change. Sloppy writing on my part. My reference to the invitation was meant to connect back to the opening comment from a local farmer I referenced, not to Leopold.
I hear similar comments from ranchers here in Western Colorado, how they are the stewards of the land. Some are, many are not. They are more concerned about stewarding the bank account.
One thing I've encountered as I've dug into ag history a bit deeper is the long strain of thinking around concepts of conservation/sustainability. The fact that it has long been a concern (centuries-long) indicates there have been plenty of farmers and ranchers who haven't stewarded their land. That said, I think the trend is generally upward. Whether that comes from what Leopold identified (e.g., skill vs. subsidy) isn't always clear.
You don't need to be invited to Leopold's shack near Baraboo. It is open to the public and you can talk with folks there at the Leopold Foundation. Leopold's primary conservation work with farmers was in western Wisconsin at a place called Coon Valley.
Thanks for this, Ken. I have not visited The Shack, although I hope some day that will change. Sloppy writing on my part. My reference to the invitation was meant to connect back to the opening comment from a local farmer I referenced, not to Leopold.
I hear similar comments from ranchers here in Western Colorado, how they are the stewards of the land. Some are, many are not. They are more concerned about stewarding the bank account.
One thing I've encountered as I've dug into ag history a bit deeper is the long strain of thinking around concepts of conservation/sustainability. The fact that it has long been a concern (centuries-long) indicates there have been plenty of farmers and ranchers who haven't stewarded their land. That said, I think the trend is generally upward. Whether that comes from what Leopold identified (e.g., skill vs. subsidy) isn't always clear.