The Nebraska Cattlemen Association along with the Sand County Foundation presented K and W farms of Stuart with the Leopold Conservation Award. Governor Pete Ricketts made the announcement.

The Kaups are the first pork producers to win the award. Wayne Kaup says they’re committed to doing the right thing in how they run their operation.

Co-owner Kurt Kaup is grateful for receiving the award and says the credit is not his to take.

The Kaups raise hogs and crops. They implement no-till farming strategies, combined with cover crops to improve the soil, reduce erosion and recycle nutrients. They also plant shelter belts and leave food plots for wildlife. There’s also a cold-water trout pond running through their farm.