Nominations are now open for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Environmental Stewardship Award. Established in 1991, the Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) annually recognizes outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of cattle producers across the nation.
“Cattle producers across the country are committed to conserving natural resources for future generations,” said NCBA President Todd Wilkinson. “This award celebrates the innovative efforts our industry is undertaking to protect the environment, engage with communities and remain profitable.”
Any individual, group or organization is eligible to nominate one individual or business raising or feeding cattle. Individuals and families may not nominate themselves, although nominees may be involved in the preparation of the application. Past nominees are encouraged to resubmit applications; however, previous winners may not reapply.
Along with a typed application, one nomination letter and three letters of recommendation highlighting the nominee’s leadership in conservation are required, and the deadline is March 8, 2024. Nominees do not have to be members of NCBA but should support the objectives of their state and national organization.
Award winners are selected by a committee of representatives from universities, cattle production, conservation organizations as well as federal and state agencies. For guidance, the judges consider the management of water, wildlife, vegetation, air, and soil along with leadership abilities and the sustainability of the business.
Regional winners will be recognized at CattleCon25 in San Antonio, Texas, in February 2025, and the national winner will be announced at the Celebration of America’s Land Stewards Event in Washington, D.C., in spring 2025. Travel and registration for these events are provided by ESAP for winners.
The Environmental Stewardship Award Program is an initiative of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and is made possible with generous support from Corteva Agriscience, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, McDonald’s, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For more information and to download the nomination packet, visit www.environmentalstewardship.org.