PRESTIGIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD REGIONAL WINNERS ANNOUNCED
NCBA announced the 2026 Environmental Stewardship Award Program( ESAP) Regional winners on Aug. 5. These farms and ranches are recognized for their commitment to conservation and stewardship. The national winner, which will be selected from these seven regional recipients, will be announced during CattleCon 2027 in Nashville, Tennessee, in February.
“ These regional winners undertake stewardship efforts unique to their environment, landscape and resources and they share their learnings with fellow producers,” said NCBA President Gene Copenhaver.“ Their dedication to conserving natural resources is ensuring a bright future for the next generation.” The 2026 ESAP Regional winners are: Region I: LB Porteus Farms, Coshocton, Ohio In the 1880s, the Porteus family put down roots in the Muskingum River Valley of east-central Ohio. Today, the fifth and sixth generations lead the cattle and cropping operations and continue a long tradition of sustainability through a business commitment to economic viability, resource conservation, nutrient management, water quality, and adoption of research-driven production practices. The family’ s 900-head capacity state-of-the-art feeding facility includes a robotic and AI-supported feeding system, as well as a unique manure storage component to increase nutrient content. Region II: Donaldson Farms / D & D Meats, Celina, Tennessee With agricultural roots dating back to 1820, Donaldson Farms / D & D Meats is a vertically integrated operation that includes cowcalf, backgrounding and USDA-inspected processing facilities. The family focuses on key objectives including facilitating low-stress livestock movement, ensuring connectivity to central infrastructure, minimizing environmental impact, protecting state and federal waters, enhancing forage production, and fostering operational sustainability. Region III: Feikema Farms, Inc., Luverne, Minnesota Feikema Farms started in 1950 as a small dairy and crop farm then transitioned to a beef feedyard when brothers Bob and Chuck returned home after finishing their military assignments. Now, the third generation of farmers, Shawn and Mike, are managing the 4,000-head capacity feedlot. A devastating flood in 2014 was a turning point as the aftermath left impacts of runoff and erosion. Today, their business focuses on targeted, steady growth, top yields through excellent crop management, exceptional animal husbandry, land stewardship practices that build fertility and reduce erosion, and building long-term working relationships with partners. Region IV: Bloody Buckets Cattle Company, Falfurrias, Texas The Clement family behind Bloody Buckets Cattle Company represents eight generations of military service and more than 400 years of land stewardship. The ranch’ s name honors its deep ties and four generations of the family’ s military service to the U. S. Army’ s 28th Infantry Division. Today, James Clement III and his family partner with father and son, Dr. Alfonso Ortega, Sr. and Dr. Poncho Ortega Jr., to manage 15,000 acres in the challenging South Texas brush country. Together, the families have built a resilient, sustainable operation that prioritizes land health over short-term production by restoring degraded ground, using adaptive grazing, and investing in infrastructure that supports both cattle and wildlife. Region V: V Box Land and Livestock, Juntura, Oregon Through disciplined management, strategic expansion and taking bold risks, Mike and Linda Bentz combined four separate ranches into one exceptional operation— notable for its size, productivity and continuity. V Box Land and Livestock encompasses nearly 28,000 private acres and 180,000 acres of public lands. When Mike tragically passed in 2015, Linda and her five children continued the cow-calf operation. Through Linda’ s leadership, more than 6,000 acres of western juniper were removed, 16,000 acres of invasive annual grasses treated, 10,000 feet of riverbank restored, and nearly 4,000 willows and native shrubs planted. These efforts improved water quality, enhanced sage grouse habitat, reduced wildfire risk, and strengthened long-term forage productivity. Region VI: Munns Flying M Ranch, Snowville, Utah In the harsh high desert of northern Utah, Tim and Laurie Munns have developed a thriving ranching business through hard work and effective stewardship. Munns Flying M Ranch is a cow-calf operation encompassing 22,000 deeded acres and 5,000 acres of leased private land, in addition to grazing permits with government and tribal partners. The family focuses on improving livestock watering systems to distribute water and improve cattle grazing, controlling noxious weeds and pests, controlling brush and weeds to increase the perennial grass forage base, and partnering with wildlife and land management agencies. Region VII: Stomprud Angus Ranch, Mud Butte, South Dakota Established in 1909, Stomprud Angus Ranch is a multi‐generation, family‐owned Angus cow-calf operation located in the remote range of western South Dakota. Larry and his wife Eileen care for the operation alongside their son Jay and daughter‐in‐law Jennifer, with support from their grandchildren. Together, the third, fourth and fifth generations work side by side to care for the land entrusted to them by those who came before, ensuring it remains productive and resilient for generations to come. Sustainability is approached with a long‐term, holistic mindset grounded in three core pillars of family, environment and financial viability.
Established in 1991 by the National Cattlemen’ s Beef Association to recognize outstanding land stewards in the cattle industry, the Environmental Stewardship Award Program( ESAP) is generously sponsored by Corteva Agriscience and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For more information, visit www. environmentalstewardship. org. www. NCBA. org NATIONAL CATTLEMEN 9