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REGION l— LB PORTEUS FARMS Coshocton, Ohio

LB Porteus Farms shows how six generations of stewardship and innovation can strengthen both environmental and economic sustainability. For more than a century, the Porteus family has advanced practices that improve soil health, water quality, and farm resilience, from early adoption of no-till farming to precision nutrient management and rotational grazing. Today, their state-of-the-art cattle facility combines robotic feeding, advanced manure management, and data-driven decision-making to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and support a productive operation for future generations.

REGION ll— DONALDSON FARMS / D & D MEATS Celina, Tennessee

Donaldson Farms / D & D Meats strengthens environmental sustainability on their ranch, as well as economic growth, through conservation, innovation and family stewardship. Since acquiring the farm in 2012, the Donaldson family has transformed a depleted property along the Obey River into a resilient, regenerative operation through rotational grazing, cover crops, riparian buffers, livestock exclusion from waterways and extensive conservation infrastructure. They combine these stewardship practices with a USDA-inspected beef processing facility and created a model that protects natural resources, adds value to locally produced cattle, and supports the operation long-term.

REGION lll— FEIKEMA FARMS, INC. Luverne, Minnesota

At Feikema Farms, commitment to innovation and stewardship transformed environmental challenges into opportunities for long-term sustainability and progress. Following the devastating floods of 2014, Mike and Shawn Feikema overcame challenges by adopting strip-till, cover crops and advanced manure management practices that improve soil health, reduce erosion, and enhance water quality. By integrating cattle and crop production into a cohesive system, they built a resilient operation that enhances productivity and profitability while remaining committed to leaving the land better for future generations.

22 NATIONAL CATTLEMEN DIRECTIONS 2026