Nominations are now open for the National Cattlemen ’ s Beef Association Environmental Stewardship Award . This prestigious award recognizes the important 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 .

ESAP is an initiative of the NCBA 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 .

NOMINATIONS ARE DUE MARCH 8 , 2024

Nominations can be submitted by any organization , group , or individual on behalf of a U . S . cattle producer . Contact your state affiliate , ESAP sponsor representative , or NCBA staff member for more information on submitting an application .

For more information on how to get started , contact esap @ beef . org or visit environmentalstewardship . org

www . NCBA . org NATIONAL CATTLEMEN 17