Iowa Farm Receives Regional Environmental Stewardship Award

SAN DIEGO (July 8, 2025) – Smith Family Farms in Bankston, Iowa, 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
  

“Jack Smith’s whole philosophy is based on protecting the soil and environment in his Dubuque County hill ground,” said Denise L. Schwab, Iowa State University Extension beef program specialist. “What I consider one of his greatest assets is his enthusiasm for protecting the environment and his willingness to share his knowledge and experience with others.” 

In the family since 1853, the 100% no-till Smith Family Farms is located in the rolling hills of northeast Iowa, today owned and operated by Jack Smith, his wife Maria, and their two sons. The Smith’s regenerative agriculture philosophy is based on soil health, which is accomplished through the three pillars of no-till, cover crops and cows. The Smiths have developed a cow herd that thrives in their environment by grazing throughout most of the year, limiting additional feed resources, and calving out in the field. Rotational grazing is another cornerstone for environmental stewardship, whether that be rotating on cover crops, corn residue permanent pastures or converting Conservation Reserve Program fields to pastures. In addition to their conservation efforts, the family is dedicated to preserving the state’s history through the Iowa Barn Foundation, which has saved more than 300 barns. Above all, the Smiths share their story and mentor others on their environmental and operational practices. 

“Conservation is a good word, but we need to do more than conserve, we need to improve,” said Jack Smith with Smith Family Farms. “Conservation efforts don’t have to be hard, simply step back and look at the whole thing as a system. You know the things that matter, and make little decisions every day that, over time, make a big difference.”

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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