Nevada Ranch Receives Regional Environmental Stewardship Award

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 5, 2025) – Cottonwood Ranch in Wells, Nevada, was recognized today by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) as a regional winner of the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). Seven regional awards were presented to recipients during CattleCon 2025 in San Antonio.  

“Conservation practices of cattle farmers and ranchers across the country help to preserve natural resources and provide wildlife habitat,” said NCBA President Mark Eisele. “The stewardship efforts of these award recipients confirm our industry’s commitment to protecting the land and water for future generations.”

Established in 1991, ESAP celebrates outstanding land stewards in the cattle industry. Regional ESAP winners come from every corner of the country and undertake stewardship efforts unique to their environment, landscape and resources. The 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award Program regional winners are:

• Region I: Angus Glen Farms, LLC, Watkins Glen, New York 
•  Region II: Kempfer Cattle Company, Deer Park, Florida 
•  Region III: Little Timber Farms, Blackduck, Minnesota 
•  Region IV: Blue Ranch, Moore County, Texas 
•  Region V: LeValley Ranch, Hotchkiss, Colorado 
•  Region VI: Cottonwood Ranch, Wells, Nevada 
•  Region VII: Downey Ranch, Wamego, Kansas

“Cottonwood Ranch has demonstrated for decades that they are exceptional stewards of the land,” said Marissa Reed, acting field supervisor of the U.S. Department of the Interior Reno Fish and Wildlife Office. “The ranch’s commitment to a collaborative approach for management of the private and permitted public lands has resulted in successful ecological and social outcomes.”

Cottonwood Ranch is a six-generation cow-calf and horse operation in Wells, Nevada. The Smith and Molsbee families are at the forefront of sustainable cattle ranching, realizing that wildlife, healthy lands and livestock can coexist and thrive together through managing both private and public lands as a whole. The ranch has an extensive history of working with federal and state partners to implement conservation practices and is a leader in utilizing virtual fencing for cattle. Cottonwood Ranch has implemented intensive grazing management strategies on their private land that have created more diverse meadows. Diversification has also played a role in the ranch’s success, with the families expanding their business to include an events venue, hunting operation, veterans retreat and birding and wildlife learning center. 

“I feel proud of what we have been able to accomplish,” said Agee Smith with Cottonwood Ranch. “We have been blessed to be caretakers of this land. It’s deeper than just a business, the land just gets in your soul.”

ESAP is generously sponsored by companies and federal agencies who share the cattle industry’s commitment to caring for the environment and protecting natural resources. Sponsors including U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Corteva Agriscience and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partner with NCBA to promote environmental stewardship throughout the beef supply chain. 

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