Environmental stewardship has long been a tradition of America's cattlemen. For the past 16 years, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) has honored outstanding operations through its Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP).

The ESAP award recognizes producers whose stewardship practices are innovative, cost-effective and contribute to environmental conservation, while maintaining the profitability of their operations.

Each year, seven regional winners are chosen from industry organization nominations. From those, one is honored as the overall winner. This year's overall honoree will be announced at the 2007 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show in Nashville, TN, Jan. 31-Feb. 3.

“These families have successfully conducted stewardship practices that can serve as exemplary models for all cattle producers,” the 2006 ESAP selection committee writes. “They're actively working to protect and improve the environment and have proven environmental that stewardship and good business can go hand-in-hand. Everyone can learn something from these folks and what they do every day.”

The ESAP selection committee consists of past award winners, university faculty, federal and state agencies and environmental organizations. The program is administered by NCBA and sponsored by Dow AgroSciences LLC and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

Region I

Blight Farms
Albion, MI

Bill and Fran Blight's family operation, which spans three generations and includes sons Art and Ken and grandson Stan, began with 319 acres in 1965 and has grown into today's diverse enterprise of 2,200 acres. Together, the Blight families feed out 570 steers twice annually. They also farrow 110 sows and finish 1,700 market hogs.

Working to manage runoff, the cattle-feeding operation has been converted from dirt lots into open-sided barns with sloped concrete floors to eliminate runoff. In addition, they planted grass filter strips and windbreaks. The Blights also utilize no-till cropping and reforestation projects, and are constructing a five-acre wildlife habitat area using native warm-season grasses.

“The only way to continue thriving in agriculture is to recognize its value to our national economy and continue to make it a strong priority,” Ken says. “Land needs to be conserved by each farmer, and policy must be implemented to achieve this.”

The family is extensively involved in community service and land-use planning. They utilize NRCS technical assistance in planning and implementing windbreaks, conservation tillage, nutrient and pesticide management, woodland improvement, filter strips and animal waste management.

Their efforts have earned them the highest stewardship standing in Michigan, becoming Environmentally Assured through the Michigan Ag Environmental Assurance program.

Region II

Hayston Farms
Mansfield, GA

Hayston Farms, operated by Frank and Peggy Greer on 1,255 acres, features everything from open pasture to dense forestland. It's also home to 90 fall- and spring-calving Brangus cows.

Abiding by a “more grass than cattle” rule, the Greers combine pasture seeding, fertilizer application and pest-control measures. They consistently test soils and closely observe water quality, adjusting pasture use accordingly to maintain the operation's balance.

The Greers assure excellent habitat for innumerable wildlife, including deer, bobcats and countless birds. Planting, thinning and harvesting are rotated to maintain the aesthetically pleasing landscape for the Greer family and the public.

“The Greers are solution-oriented cattle producers who regularly open their home and operation for conservation field days and demonstration events,” says Jim Strickland, Georgia Cattlemen's Association president.

Hayston Farms works closely with the Farm Services Agency (FSA) and NRCS to attain their land-conservation goals.

“It's the right thing to do,” Frank Greer explains. “It's been part of my blood, heritage and love from an early age. Our living came from the soil, water and forest. The better we care for it, the better it cares for us.”

Region III

Clan Farms
Atlantic, IA

“Good stewardship can greatly add to your bottom line,” says Nick Hunt. “But even more importantly, good stewardship is crucial for maintaining the farm for future generations, and maintaining a positive public perception of farmers.”

Nick and Sue Hunt, along with daughters Liz and Carolyn, are a fourth-generation farm family who have tended the land and its natural resources since 1868. The 2,400-acre farm exemplifies environmental stewardship in the management of a 3,400-head feedlot, 120-head cow-calf herd, and farming operation that includes corn, soybeans and alfalfa.

Water conservation is a top priority for this family in the East Nishnabotna River watershed. Working with state and federal agencies, the Hunts have created riparian buffer strips and planted trees to prevent soil erosion along waterways. Another project includes constructing an 11-acre basin to capture feedlot-runoff water, later used to fertilize and irrigate 120 acres of corn. Because of these efforts, the feedlot is certified by Iowa's Department of Natural Resources as “totally contained” for rainfall runoff.

“As farmers, we need to be up front with our neighbors. We need to discuss why we do the necessary things to operate our farms efficiently, such as applying manure to crop ground, or building large storage basins to prevent any pollution of our waterways,” Nick says.