The National Cattlemen's Beef Association Friday recognized seven farms as 2013 regional Environmental Stewardship Award Program winners.
The regional winners are Mountain Meadows Farm, Sudbury, Vt.; Kissimmee Park Properties, St. Cloud, Fla.; BitterSweet Acres, Greenville, Iowa; Frank and Sims Price Ranch, Sterling City, Texas; Padlock Ranch Company, Ranchester, Wyo.; Kualoa Ranch, Kane'ohe, Hawaii; and Gracie Creek Landowners Association, Burwell, Neb.
Regional and national award winners have been commended for their commitment to protecting the environment and improving fish and wildlife habitats while operating profitable cattle operations.
The winners will now compete for the national ESAP award, to be announced at the 2014 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show in Nashville, Tenn.
The program, now in its 23rd year, is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, USDA-NRCS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the National Cattlemen's Foundation.
"America's farmers and ranchers are passionate about their land, and it shows through conservation and environmental stewardship efforts," said NCBA President Scott George.
"The cattle industry is continually improving upon our environmental sustainability, and these seven finalists set an example that we should all strive to achieve. We look forward to naming one of these seven great cattle operations as our 2014 national ESAP award winner in Nashville next year."