Bowles Farming Company Honored with Leopold Conservation Award

Bowles Farming Company of Los Banos is the 2024 recipient of the California Leopold Conservation Award®. This $10,000 award recognizes landowners for exceptional stewardship of soil, water, and wildlife habitat.

Cannon Michael, president of Bowles Farming Company, accepted the award during the California Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting on December 9. Presented by the Sand County Foundation and American Farmland Trust, the award celebrates innovation and sustainability on working lands.

With over 160 years of farming heritage, Bowles Farming Company exemplifies responsible agriculture. Under Michael’s leadership, the 11,200-acre farm utilizes practices like cover cropping, precision technology, and solar energy. Restored wetlands and pollinator habitats further reflect their dedication to conservation.

Michael also collaborates with agricultural and conservation leaders, championing water conservation and climate-smart farming policies. Inspired by Aldo Leopold’s “land ethic,” this award honors Bowles Farming Company’s commitment to sustainability and its role as a model for future generations.