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.
You’re Invited!
You’re invited to join Montana Stockgrowers Association and Joe C King & Sons Ranch as we explore how ranching and conservation work hand in hand. As an attendee, you will get hands-on ranch experience, positive discussion, and exclusive access to industry and sustainability experts on a beautiful, multi-generational, award-winning ranch.
Joe C King & Sons Ranch
June 28 – 29, 2022 | Winnett, Montana
About our Hosts
Joe C King & Sons Ranch is owned and operated by Chris & Gari King, their son, Jay King, and their daughter and son-in-law, Kylie and Mitch Thompson. The King family has been operating on the ranch since 1941 and were named the 2021 Montana Environmental Stewardship Award winners in June 2021, and recognized as the Region V Environmental Stewardship Award winners in February 2022. Regional winners will compete for the national award, which will be announced later in 2022.
The King family has continued the strong tradition of the Joe C King & Sons Ranch by becoming an ever-evolving enterprise, willing to learn and adjust as the years pass. For the last 50 years, continuously improving grazing management has been a fundamental key in the ranch’s sustainability efforts.
Implementing a thoughtful and managed grazing system that rotates animals on a regular frequency allows plants to develop deeper roots, recover from grazing faster, and ultimately produce far more grass over the course of the season. This means the soil can store more carbon, allow for water to seep into the soil, and prevent run-off.
The ranch also has a very active and healthy population of Sage Grouse that enjoy the sagebrush prairie habitat cattle grazing provides. Additionally, the area is home to pronghorn, deer, and various birds including songbirds, pheasants, sharp-tail grouse, hawks, eagles and other birds of prey.
Join us June 28 – 29 to learn more about this award-winning ranch and family!
Learn more about
Grazing Management
Wildlife Management
Water Development
Cover Crops
Wildlife Management
The King’s goals for success are built upon adapting to the unique local conditions and environment, while assessing the health of the land, water and forage, to make sound business decisions. Their improvements have allowed them to do what any rancher wants from their operation – to withstand difficult conditions and flourish in favorable ones.
Jim Steinbeisser, Montana Stockgrowers Association President
Tentative Agenda
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 2022
5:00 p.m. – Gather at the Joe C King & Sons Ranch for dinner with ranchers, conservationists, chefs, wildlife advocates and natural resource experts. We’ll get to know one another and have a delicious meal.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2022
8:00 a.m. – Experience the environmental impact the King’s strategic grazing plans, rangeland management, and water conservation work has on the landscape, livestock and the wildlife the ranch supports.
1:00 p.m. – We’ll wrap up, eat lunch, and have a final discussion regarding ranching’s role in sustainability.
Environmental Stewardship Award Program
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.
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 14 regional awards and two national awards.
Sponsors
Thank you to our wonderful sponsors, who help make this event a success!
