08/06/2026
Prestigious Environmental Stewardship Award Presented to Utah Ranch
https://youtu.be/AAZb_p5h_ng
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (Aug. 5, 2026) – Munns Flying M Ranch in Hansel Valley, Utah, was recognized today by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) as a 2026 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) Regional winner. Established in 1991, ESAP celebrates outstanding land stewards in the cattle industry. The national winner, which will be selected from these seven regional winners, will be announced during CattleCon 2027 in Nashville, Tennessee, in February.
“These award recipients undertake stewardship efforts unique to their environment, landscape and resources, and they share their learnings with fellow producers,” said NCBA President Gene Copenhaver. “Their dedication to conserving natural resources is ensuring a bright future for the next generation.”
The 2026 Environmental Stewardship Award Program Regional winners are:
Region I: LB Porteus Farms, Coshocton, Ohio
Region II: Donaldson Farms/D&D Meats, Celina, Tennessee
Region III: Feikema Farms, Inc., Luverne, Minnesota
Region IV: Bloody Buckets Cattle Company, Falfurrias, Texas
Region V: V Box Land and Livestock, Juntura, Oregon
Region VI: Munns Flying M Ranch, Snowville, Utah
Region VII: Stomprud Angus Ranch, Mud Butte, South Dakota
“From wildlife-friendly infrastructure to drought management through grazing intensities, [Tim and Laurie Munns] continually seek out approaches that will enhance all aspects of their operation and the natural ecosystem, which they work with in symbiosis,” said Ashley McDonald, executive director of the National Grazing Lands Coalition. “These efforts have enhanced wildlife habitat, protected and enhanced water quality, and contributed to the preservation and improvement of our nation’s public land and open space, all the while improving and ensuring the transfer of the operation to the next generation of their family.”
In the harsh high desert of northern Utah, Tim and Laurie Munns have developed a thriving ranching business through hard work and effective stewardship. Munns Flying M Ranch is a cow-calf operation encompassing 22,000 deeded acres and 5,000 acres of leased private land, in addition to grazing permits with government and tribal partners. The family focuses on improving livestock watering systems to distribute water and improve cattle grazing, controlling noxious weeds and pests, controlling brush and weeds to increase the perennial grass forage base, and partnering with wildlife and land management agencies. Their commitment to continual learning and innovation has reduced winter feed costs, strengthened plant vigor and improved overall rangeland health, which benefits wildlife habitat as well as ranch profitability. The Munns are also committed to sharing their story with fellow producers and educating consumers how cattle producers can be good stewards of the land.
“The old saying is, ‘Take care of the land, and it’ll take care of you,’” says Tim Munns. “It means being stewards of the land and doing the right thing when it needs to be done.”
ESAP is generously sponsored by organizations that share the cattle industry’s commitment to caring for the environment and protecting natural resources. Sponsors including Corteva Agriscience and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partner with NCBA to promote environmental stewardship throughout the beef supply chain. For more information, visit www.environmentalstewardship.org.
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We know that we are only successful when we take the best possible care of the natural resources with which we’ve been entrusted.
