Meet the 2024 Regional ESAP Winners As committed stewards of the land, cattlemen and cattlewomen must continuously evolve and innovate as they strive to be better producers and caretakers. Corteva Agriscience proudly supports these efforts in multiple ways, including serving as the longest-standing sponsor of the Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). Environmental Stewardship Award winners are nominated by local organizations, conservation groups or fellow producers. A blue-ribbon Environmental Stewardship Award Selection Committee picks the regional winners. This year’s class includes seven regional winners. The committee selects one national winner from these regional award recipients and will announce the winner during the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Conference. Congratulations to the following 2024 Regional Environmental Stewardship Award winners!
Region I Angus Glen Farms, LLC — Watkins Glen, New York Owned and operated by Brett Chedzoy and family, Angus Glen Farms is an entirely grass-fed cow- calf operation located in New York’s Finger Lakes region. Protecting natural resources is a high priority for the Chedzoy family, which shares this dedication with the hundreds of visitors who tour the farm each year. The Chedzoys take pride in educating farm visitors on the importance of environmental stewardship and the role cattle production plays in preserving critical ecosystems. In addition to tours, Brett Chedzoy uses his forestry background and grazing experience to regularly educate cattle producers on sustainable practices, such as silvopasturing.
Region II Kempfer Cattle Company — Deer Park, Florida Kempfer Cattle Company is a sixth-generation family ranch owned and operated by brothers Billy and Reed Kempfer and their families. Although purebred Brahmans and commercial cattle are their primary focus, the Kempfers also manage a sod company, a sawmill and a replacement heifer development ranch located in Macon, Missouri. Their approach to controlling invasive species and managing wildlife and forestry, along with their innovative use of technology for efficient sod production, showcases their holistic view of ranching as part of a larger ecosystem.
Region III Little Timber Farms — Blackduck, Minnesota Little Timber Farms is a fourth- generation farm that blazed the trail for sustainable cattle production practices in northern Minnesota. Rachel Gray and her family have been stewards of the land for generations, not because the public demands it, but because it is simply the right thing to do. Rachel started transitioning from a cow-calf herd into a heifer development operation in 2017, and the family never looked back. The Grays work diligently to implement rotational grazing, restore pastures, protect riparian areas, incorporate cover crops and manage nutrient cycling on their ranch.
10
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator