Two brothers who run a hog farm in north-central Nebraska’s Holt County are being recognized for their environmental efforts.
Kurt and Wayne Kaup run K & W Farms in Stuart and they’re the first pork producers to win the Leopold Conservation Award.
Wayne Kaup says they’re committed to running their operation properly.
“Our business was built off teamwork, respect for the land, respect for our animals, character and integrity, doing what’s right when nobody’s watching,” Wayne Kaup says. “That all falls back to taking care of everything and doing it in the best way we can.”
The 11th annual award is presented by the Nebraska Cattlemen Association and the Sand County Foundation.
Kurt Kaup says he’s grateful for receiving the award and he thanked God for their land.
“It’s an honor to have it and take care of it and I felt it’s pretty fragile ground and we’re blessed with it for a reason,” Kurt Kaup says. “We’re going to continue to take good care of it and pass that legacy on to the second generation, instill that in their minds, what it means to take care of the land so it’s there for future generations, also.”
The Kaups raise hogs, grow crops and 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. In addition, there’s a cold-water trout pond running through their farm.
By Jerry Oster, WNAX, Yankton