Cattle producers who protect the environment while operating a profitable cattle business are encouraged to participate in the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s 25th annual Environmental Stewardship Award Program. There will be seven regional winners and one national winner chosen by a committee of representatives from universities, conservation organizations, federal and state agencies, and cattle producers.
“Environmental stewardship and conservation have long been the focus of America’s foremost land stewards: farmers and ranchers,” said Texas cattleman and NCBA President Bob McCan. “Now in its 25th year, the ESAP program has recognized the outstanding accomplishments of cattle producers across the country and has encouraged producers to try new techniques.”
Any individual, group or organization is eligible to nominate one individual or business who raises or feeds cattle. Past nominees are eligible and encouraged to resubmit their application; previous winners may not reapply. Along with a completed application, the applicant must submit one nomination letter and three letters of recommendation highlighting the nominee’s leadership in conservation.
The program is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences; the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the National Cattlemen’s Foundation; and NCBA.
Applications for the 2015 ESAP award are due Mar. 6, 2015. More information and complete application packets are available here.