Kentucky Farm Receives Regional Environmental Stewardship Award

SAN DIEGO (July 8, 2025) – Whispering Hills Farm in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, was recognized today by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) as a 2025 Regional winner of the Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). Regional awards were presented during the cattle industry’s Summer Business Meeting in San Diego, and the National winner will be announced during CattleCon 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee, in February.

“It is an honor to recognize these cattle producers for their commitment to conservation,” said NCBA President Buck Wehrbein. “Not only are they protecting natural resources for future generations, but they also serve as stewardship role models for producers across the country.”

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 2025 Environmental Stewardship Award Program Regional winners are:

• Region I: Whispering Hills Farm, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
  
• Region II: M&D Overstreet Ranch, Kathleen, Florida
  
• Region III: Smith Family Farms, Bankston, Iowa
  
• Region IV: McFaddin Ranch, Victoria, Texas
  
• Region V: G&G Livestock and Cathey Cattle Company, Polson, Montana
  
• Region VII: Wine Glass Ranch, Imperial, Nebraska
  

“Mike Wilson has worked with numerous federal, state and local government conservation agencies for the last two decades, allowing him to gain new insight on an array of techniques related to cattle farming, silviculture and wildlife habitat,” said Brandon Jacobs, Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) state manager for USDA-NRCS. “The meetings, trainings and field days Mr. Wilson has hosted or attended are far too many to count, but one thing is for certain the impact his family has within the local community is inspiring, it resonates and makes a significant impact on those aspiring to be better stewards of the land.” 

Mike Wilson took a neglected and overgrown farm in the heart of Kentucky and gave it life. He carefully crafted his operation around the limitations of the land and resources, and adapted when necessary to make it a thriving, profitable operation that can be passed down to the next generation of stewards. Wilson is an active participant in both the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) as well as CSP, working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to implement a variety of practices including pipeline, heavy use area protection, watering troughs, fence and forage and biomass plantings to help facilitate prescribed grazing. In addition to livestock related enhancements, he is an advocate for keeping the balance between agriculture and wildlife. He has partnered with state foresters to improve woodland, and he removes invasive species to enhance plant diversity. Wilson continues to serve as a role model to fellow cattle producers, influencing them to take positive steps towards stewardship and conservation efforts.

“As we face limited resources and a growing population, it is only going to become more important for our industry to adapt and innovate,” said Mike Wilson with Whispering Hills Farm. “As a farmer, it is my job to take care of the land, and if I take care of it, it will take care of us.”

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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