Year Inducted: 2026
Region I
Coshocton, OH
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.”
“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.”
