ESAP acknowledges producers who go the extra mile when it comes to preserving and enhancing the resources on their land.
Each year, the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) honors a Montana ranch that exemplifies environmental stewardship and demonstrates a commitment toward improved sustainability within the beef industry. While the program highlights industry stewardship, it also provides cattlemen with examples and ideas which may be useful on their own farming and ranching operations.
Montana ranchers depend on the land and its resources for their livelihood. Therefore, good management demands that producers care for the environment for their own well-being as well as for future generations. Ranchers, as individuals and as an industry, are actively working to protect and improve the environment because they know environmental stewardship and good business go hand-in-hand.
Environmental Stewardship Award winners are prime examples of how environmental management benefits both the rancher’s bottom line and the resources in their care.
2021 ESAP Winners
Joe C King & Sons Ranch
HELENA, Mont. (June 14, 2021) – The Joe C King & Sons Ranch was honored as the 2021 Environmental Stewardship Award (ESAP) winners on June 10, at the Montana Stockgrowers Association’s MidYear Meeting in Lewistown, Montana. Each year, the ESAP award recognizes a Montana ranch that exemplifies environmental stewardship and demonstrates a commitment toward improved sustainability within the beef industry.
For the last 50 years, continuously improving grazing management has been a fundamental key in the ranch’s sustainability efforts. Joe King, Chris’s father, started those efforts in the 1970s when he sectioned off the ranch into five pastures to begin a rest-rotation grazing program.
ESAP APPLICATION INFORMATION
Program History
Established in 1991, the national Environmental Stewardship Award Program provides an opportunity for the beef industry to showcase the stewardship and business practices that exist together on progressive farms and ranches.
State winners selected by the Montana Stockgrowers Association advance to the regional and national levels. Since the establishment of the program, Montana has won 13 regional awards and two national awards.
Help us continue this strong tradition by taking the time to apply for this prestigious award, or by nominating a producer in your area who has practiced environmentally sustainable practices or demonstrated conservation improvements on their land.
Help us spread the message that cattlemen are the original stewards of the land!
Who to Nominate
The next ESAP winner is any rancher you know who demonstrates a commitment toward improved sustainability within the beef industry. This could be your neighbor, family member, friend, someone in your community, it could even be YOU.
This award serves as an honor to those who are nominated, so give this compliment to someone you know who is improving resources and ranching for the future.
- Applications for the Montana Environmental Stewardship Award are due by July 15, 2022.
- Applications can be sent to jeri@mtbeef.org or mailed to MSGA’s office at 420 N. California St., Helena, MT 59601
- Applications may be submitted at an earlier date for review/critique by MSGA staff.
2022
- February 1 | Montana 2023 ESAP nominations open
- July 15 | Montana 2023 ESAP nominations are due
- Summer – Fall 2022 | Montana 2023 ESAP winner is chosen by ESAP Committee
- August to March 2022 | MSGA staff + winners begin process of developing regional application to submit to www.environmentalstewardship.org
2023
- March | Regional application is due
- June – MSGA MidYear Meeting | Montana 2023 ESAP winner is announced
2024
- June – September | 2023 ESAP winners host Raising the Steaks Environmental Stewardship Tour
- Ranches may be nominated by anyone, including themselves. The ranch must be a member of the Montana Stockgrowers Association and NCBA.
- Applicants will agree to a ranch visit by Montana Stockgrowers staff for photography, video interviews, and other digital material as a part of the application process. Material may be used as promotional material for Montana ESAP and Montana Stockgrowers Association.
- The applications will be evaluated by a committee, which will include, but is not limited to MSGA Board Members; past Montana, Regional and National Environmental Stewardship Award winners; Montana Beef Council; Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
- The evaluation committee will rank the applications on a pre-determined scale. The committee will then approach nominees, starting with the highest-ranking nomination and moving down, to make sure the top choice is interested in receiving the award and moving on to the next level in the process.
- Once a winner is determined, the winner will be announced at the MSGA MidYear Meeting.
- MSGA staff will then work with the winner to prepare their application for the Regional and National Award competition, which is typically due in late February/early March of the following year.
RAISING THE STEAKS ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP TOUR
The Raising the Steaks Tour gather an intimate group of thoughtful, creative individuals who represent chefs, foodservice professionals, wildlife advocates, ranchers, scientists, conservationists, storytellers, water users, and more to put their boots on the ground and their heads in the game in facilitated diverse and informative discussions that highlight current issues and solutions to challenges ranchers and conservationists face when managing private and public lands for future generations.
To attend the tour, email Jeri Delys at jeri@mtbeef.org.
The TG Ranch Showcases Environmental Stewardship Efforts on Raising the Steaks Tour
LENNEP, Mont. (July 20, 2021) – The Montana Stockgrowers Association hosted its annual Raising the Steaks Environmental Stewardship Tour on July 15 – 16 in Lennep, Montana at the TG Ranch. The ranch is owned and operated by the Voldseth family, the 2020 Environmental Stewardship Award winners.
The tour kicked off on July 15, at the Voldseth’s guest ranch, the Bonanza Creek Country Guest Ranch with the networking dinner. During dinner, guests were able to get to know the TG Ranch and the Voldseth family, along with other attendees.
ESAP TOUR SPONSORS
Thank you to our AWESOME sponsors of the Raising the Steaks Tour. This event would not be possible without them.
