DOWNEY RANCH IN KANSAS HONORED AS 2024 ESAP NATIONAL WINNER
NCBA announced Downey Ranch in Wamego , Kansas , as the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award Program ( ESAP ) National winner , during General Session II of CattleCon 2025 . The award was presented to Barb Downey and her husband , Joe Carpenter , in San Antonio in February to honor their outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements .
“ We are stewards of the land ; we ’ ve been entrusted with it , and we want to make sure what you see today continues on ,” said Barb Downey with Downey Ranch . “ What we do every day in some way , shape or form is in service to that mission .”
Located in the heart of the Kansas Flint Hills , Downey Ranch is a commercial cow-calf operation committed to stewardship . Owners Joe Carpenter and Barb Downey have incorporated numerous grazing management techniques to enhance rangeland health , minimize the need for harvested forages , and meet the nutritional needs of their cattle with little supplemental feed . In addition to extensive use of rotational grazing , they utilize a novel bale grazing program to help cover winter feed needs . Downey Ranch utilizes prescribed burning to enhance the mix of grass species in their pastures as well as control woody encroachment . The family has also integrated new technology to enhance cattle well-being , improve land management and reduce labor needs . In addition to incorporating these resource management practices on their ranch , Barb and Joe are willing to share their experiences with others . Downey Ranch hosts multiple tours for industry groups , students and other stakeholders .
“ If our grasslands , our cattle and our ranch are thriving , then our family thrives , and that is the foundation for everything we have built ,” Downey said . “ The land is sometimes hard for a rancher to talk about because it is part of you , it ’ s just who you are — your soul . We ’ ve given our lives to it , so our kids can continue on .”
This year , regional winners from each of the seven regions were recognized during CattleCon 2025 , and Downey Ranch was selected from the group as the national winner . 2024 Regional Winners : Region I : Angus Glen Farms , LLC , Watkins Glen , New York Region II : Kempfer Cattle Company , Deer Park , Florida Region III : Little Timber Farms , Blackduck , Minnesota Region IV : Blue Ranch , Moore County , Texas Region V : LeValley Ranch , Hotchkiss , Colorado Region VI : Cottonwood Ranch , Wells , Nevada Region VII : Downey Ranch , Wamego , Kansas “ Conservation practices of cattle farmers and ranchers across the country help to preserve natural resources and provide wildlife habitat ,” said NCBA President Mark Eisele . “ The stewardship efforts of Downey Ranch and other ESAP winners confirm our industry ’ s commitment to protecting the land and water for future generations .”
To learn more about Downey Ranch and the other regional winners , watch their videos at www . environmentalstewardship . org / winner-gallery .
ESAP is generously sponsored by companies and federal agencies who share the cattle industry ’ s commitment to caring for the environment and protecting natural resources . Sponsors including U . S . Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service , Corteva Agriscience , and U . S . Fish and Wildlife Service partner with NCBA to promote environmental stewardship throughout the beef supply chain . For more information , visit www . environmentalstewardship . org .
16 MARCH 2025 www . NCBA . org