The Brian and Vicki Maddock family has been selected as the recipients of the 2025 North Dakota Leopold Conservation Award®.
The award honors farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land.
The Maddock family’s 4,000-acre ranch is in the heart of the Drift Prairie physiographic region of northeastern North Dakota. They will be presented with the $10,000 award in December.
Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In North Dakota, the award is presented with North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition, North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts and the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association.
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who inspire others with their dedication to environmental improvement. 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.
North Dakota landowners were encouraged to apply, or be nominated, for the award last year. Applications were reviewed by an independent panel of North Dakota’s agricultural and conservation leaders.
ABOUT BRIAN AND VICKI MADDOCK FAMILY
Aldo Leopold wrote that the oldest task in human history was to live on a piece of land without spoiling it. Throughout their ranching career, Brian and Vicki Maddock have demonstrated this ethic by choosing to restore rather than abandon or exploit in the face of adversity.
The Maddock family’s 4,000-acre ranch is in the heart of the Drift Prairie physiographic region of northeastern North Dakota. It’s one of North America’s most important rangelands and depressional prairie pothole wetlands.
Brian and Vicki first farmed and ranched with his parents Miles and Dorothea, on the original Maddock homestead. In the early 80s, Brian and Vicki moved their family to their current farmstead and began farming and raising cattle on their own. A significant portion of their ranching operation was adjacent to Devils Lake and was covered by water when the lake rose in the early 90s. Forced to abandon a significant portion of the land, they pivoted to holistic grazing practices on the remaining grassland.
With assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, they installed cross-fencing and water developments to begin rotationally grazing cattle in more than 20 paddocks. Raising more cattle per acre with better management helped them save their business by increasing productivity and sustainability. Conservation practices also safeguarded the ranch against future droughts in the region.
Over time, Brian refined his approach by adopting intensively managed grazing systems that prioritize soil health, forage diversity, and long-term ecological stability. This adaptive mindset reflects Aldo Leopold’s view that resilience is born from a deep understanding of natural systems and a willingness to work in harmony with them.
In the early 90s, Brian seeded all of the erodible cropland back to grass, but he noticed hilltops remained barren. Recognizing the need to rebuild soil fertility, he started feeding large round bales to cattle on hilltops to add nutrients to the soil. Within a year, vibrant rings of green grass began to emerge. He quickly embraced bale grazing as an important tool to rebuild soils and restore balance to the ecosystem.
“The Maddocks have been conservationists when conservation was not cool,” said Kevin Sedivec, a range specialist for North Dakota State University Extension.
“They knew implementing grazing systems would increase their bottom line while creating habitat for wildlife. They knew farming marginal lands was not good for the soil and would rarely be profitable,” he added. “They take what they learn – both good and bad – and tell their story to help others succeed.”
Brian and Vicki have instilled conservation values in their six children and 21 grandchildren, creating a multi-generational ripple of influence in the agricultural community. All their children work in the cattle and beef business, including three sons who ranch with their parents.
Together, the Maddocks have planted 10,000 feet of trees, seeded over 900 acres of grass, installed more than 100,000 feet of fencing to create more than 100 grazing paddocks. By installing miles of fencing along rivers and coulees, they have protected fragile riparian areas, prevented livestock from eroding streambanks and reduced sedimentation in waterways.
By growing full season cover crops they have enriched habitat and provided valuable food sources for wildlife, while improving soil health and reducing erosion. Expanding water infrastructure with 14 miles of pipeline and 40 water tanks ensures sustainable water distribution for livestock and wildlife while minimizing environmental impact.
By embracing regenerative agriculture, the Maddocks have sustained their livelihood and safeguarded the critical landscape they call home. Their stewardship of soil, water, plants, and animals demonstrates that conservation is a way of life, not just a practice.
ACCOLADES
“Brian Maddock serves as a mentor for the Coalition along with two of his sons. The Maddocks are dedicated stewards and advocates for holistic management and conservation on the working lands of North Dakota,” said Jay Reiser, NDGLC Chairman.
“The Maddock family has worked incredibly hard to ensure a brighter future for the next generation, both in the intensive conservation practices they have employed and through their industry service at the local, state and national levels,” said Randy Schmitt, NDSA President. “They are tremendous examples of stewardship in action, and we are proud to salute the Maddock family on their Leopold Conservation Award honor.”
“The Maddock family exemplifies a long and steady approach implementing sound conservation practices that address soil health, forage diversity and long-term ecological stability. The ability to pivot their farming operation to address environmental factors has showcased the sustainability of our most precious and fragile natural resources,” said Monte Bloms, North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts President. “They embody the true meaning of conservation stewards while minimizing their environmental impact. The Maddock family has been instrumental in mentoring numerous ranchers throughout the state and has been a voice for sound conservation practices.”
“These award recipients are examples of how Aldo Leopold’s land ethic is alive and well today,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and CEO. “Their dedication to conservation is both an inspiration to their peers as well as a reminder to all how important thoughtful agriculture is to clean water, healthy soil, and wildlife habitat.”
“As the national sponsor for Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust celebrates the hard work and dedication of the award recipients,” said John Piotti, AFT President and CEO. “At AFT we believe that exemplary conservation involves the land itself, the practices employed on the land, and the people who steward it. This award recognizes the integral role of all three.”
The Leopold Conservation Award Program in North Dakota is made possible thanks to the generous support of the American Farmland Trust, North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition, North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, Sand County Foundation, Starion Bank, North Dakota Game & Fish Department, Audubon Great Plains, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Burleigh County Soil Conservation District, Cass County Soil Conservation District, Cow Chip Ranch, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, Emmons County Soil Conservation District, KEM Electric Cooperative, Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative, North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, North Dakota Natural Resources Trust, Pheasants Forever, Roughrider Electric Cooperative, Slope Electric Cooperative, The Nature Conservancy, The Wildlife Society, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
For more information on the award, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.