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.
2022 ESAP Winners
Helmville Ranching Family, MSGA Members Honored with 2022 Regional Environmental Stewardship Award
NEW ORLEANS, (February 1, 2023) – The Mannix Brothers Ranch, in Helmville, Mont., has been selected as one of seven regional honorees of the Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). The award, announced during the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention and NBCA Trade Show, recognizes the operation’s outstanding stewardship and conservation efforts. Regional winners will compete for the national award, which will be presented during NCBA’s Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., April 24-27, 2023.
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 15 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, 2023.
- Applications can be sent to foundation@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.
2023
- February 1 | Montana 2024 ESAP nominations open
- July 15 | Montana 2024 ESAP nominations are due
- Summer – Fall 2023 | Montana 2024 ESAP winner is chosen by ESAP Committee
- August 2023 to March 2024 | MSGA staff + winners begin process of developing regional application to submit to www.environmentalstewardship.org
2024
- March | Regional application is due
- June – MSGA MidYear Meeting | Montana 2024 ESAP winner is announced
2025
- June – September | 2024 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.
- Fill out the MT ESAP nomination form. We have provided a digital and printable version to make the nomination as easy as possible.
- Email form to foundation@mtbeef.org by July 15, 2023.
- Or mail to MSGA office at 420 N. California St., Helena, MT 59601. Must be postmarked by July 15, 2023.
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.
MSGA & MSF Host Raising the Steaks Environmental Stewardship Tour on Award Winning Ranch
The 2022 Tour was hosted at the Joe C King & Sons Ranch, 2021 Montana Environmental Stewardship Award and 2021 Region V Environmental Stewardship Award winners.
Attendees on the tour included Environmental Studies Professor from MSU-B Dr. Susan Gilbritz, and four of her students who are enrolled in the Environmental Studies program. Montana State University Dieticians, members of Winnett Aces, neighboring ranchers, natural resource experts, wildlife advocates, Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) board members and more.
ESAP TOUR SPONSORS
Thank you to our AWESOME sponsors of the Raising the Steaks Tour. This event would not be possible without them.
