Nominate a steward!

Consider nominating someone for the Environmental Stewardship Award of the National Cattlemen’s Foundation. Nominations for the 2009 program are due February 25, 2009.

The Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes producers whose management benefits both the environment and the bottom line. The common trait among all winners is the desire to leave the land in better shape for future generations. The program is funded by Dow AgroSciences LLC, Natural Resources Conservation Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Any organization, group, or individual may nominate a U.S. cattle producer.From the field of nominees, seven regional winners are selected by an expert panel representing the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), conservation groups, federal and state agencies, and land grant universities. Dow AgroSciences does not vote in the selection.

Judges consider the management of water, wildlife, vegetation, air and soil, as well as the nominees’ leadership and the sustainability of the business as a whole.

Regional winners will be announced in July 2009. From the seven regional winners, judges will choose a national winner to be announced at the NCBA’s annual convention in January 2010.

For more information on the award, including examples of past winners’ nominations, go on line to www.environmentalstewardship.org or contact the National Cattlemen’s Foundation in Denver at (303) 850-3392. Or download the 2009 Nomination Packet (907KB PDF).

If you don’t have enough time to nominate someone for 2009, look ahead to the 2010 award — the program’s 20th year. The foundation encourages photos as part of the nomination and the growing season is usually the best time to take those.