Montana Family Receives Regional Environmental Stewardship Award

SAN DIEGO (July 8, 2025) – G&G Livestock and Cathey Cattle Company in Polson, Montana, were recognized today by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) as 2025 Regional winners 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
  

“G&G Livestock/Cathey Cattle Company stands out in western Montana as a model for all landowners to follow,” said Jack Stivers, Montana State University Extension agent. “They have achieved positive results by focusing on productivity while enhancing and protecting environmental resources.”  

Greg and Lynn Gardner started G&G Livestock; daughter Brittany Cathey and son-in-law Wacey Cathey later launched Cathey Cattle Company as their own direct-to-consumer beef business. Located on the Flathead Indian Reservation, the family works together to manage cattle and care for the land. Efficient range management is the family’s focus with efforts including weed control, grazing management and water development. By implementing a deferred rest rotation system, the family has seen their pastures develop deeper roots, rebound more quickly from grazing and increased grass production year to year. The family is active in the community and supports conservation causes that improve natural resources. They partnered with USDA-NRCS to install additional fencing and livestock watering systems, treat invasive weeds, improve pasture and range conditions through forage plantings and develop grazing management plans leading to measurable improvements to rangeland health. 

“I learned early on that we are in the business of grass than we are in the business of cattle,” said Brittany Cathey with Cathey Cattle Company. “If you don’t take care of your ground, your cattle aren’t going to produce their best.”

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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