Prestigious Environmental Stewardship Award Presented to Ohio Farm

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (Aug. 5, 2026) – LB Porteus Farms in Coshocton, Ohio, 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
  

“The Porteus family understands that farming in this landscape [within a watershed] carries both opportunity and responsibility,” said Cathann A. Kress, vice president for agriculture and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University. “Their attention to nutrient management, runoff control, and soil structure reflects a deep commitment to protecting shared water resources while sustaining a productive agricultural operation.”

In the 1880s, the Porteus family put down roots in the Muskingum River Valley of east-central Ohio. Today, the fifth and sixth generations lead the cattle and cropping operations and continue a long tradition of sustainability through a business commitment to economic viability, resource conservation, nutrient management, water quality, and adoption of research-driven production practices. The family’s 900-head capacity state-of-the-art feeding facility includes a robotic and AI-supported feeding system, as well as a unique manure storage component to increase nutrient content. These technological advancements significantly decrease the labor, energy and emissions profile of the operation. Sustainability extends beyond production practices to include education, transparency and youth development. The family actively welcomes opportunities to share their sustainability story, helping build trust and understanding with consumers and neighbors.

“For our family, the ultimate outcome of how we choose to manage land and water resources is our sustainability story, and it is shared by what the world sees as they drive by,” said Brent Porteus. “Raising mother cows and their offspring with care for both them and the land they graze is our priority.”

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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