Kansas Ranch Receives Regional Environmental Stewardship Award

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 5, 2025) – Downey Ranch in Wamego, Kansas, 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

“Downey Ranch has put themselves at the forefront of what it means to be a good steward of the environment while also running a successful operation,” said Megan Rush, Middle Kansas River watershed coordinator for the Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams. “They continue to not only educate themselves, but also open their doors for others to learn from them, as well as being open to learn from others and stay at the forefront of best management practices.”

Located in the heart of the Kansas Flint Hills, southwest of Wamego, Downey Ranch is a commercial cow-calf operation committed to stewardship. Owners Joe Carpenter and Barb Downey have incorporated numerous grazing management techniques to enhance rangeland health, minimize the need for harvested forages and meet the nutritional needs of their cattle with little supplemental feed. In addition to extensive use of rotational grazing, they utilize a novel bale grazing program to help cover winter feed needs. Downey Ranch utilizes prescribed burning to enhance the mix of grass species in their pastures as well as control woody encroachment. The family has also integrated new technology to enhance cattle well-being, improve land management and reduce labor needs. In addition to incorporating these resource management practices on their ranch, Barb and Joe are willing to share their experiences with others. Downey Ranch hosts multiple tours for industry groups, students and other stakeholders.

“If our grasslands, our cattle and our ranch are thriving, then our family thrives, and that is the foundation for everything we have built,” said Barb Downey with Downey Ranch. “The land is sometimes hard for a rancher to talk about because it is part of you, it’s just who you are, your soul. We’ve given our lives to it so our kids can continue on.”

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. 

###