CONTACT:     Tanya Augustson        (202) 347-0228           taugustson@beef.org

                        Karen Batra                 (202) 347-0228           kbatra@beef.org

Pennsylvania Farm Wins Top Environmental Award

Li’l Ponderosa Enterprises is ESAP Region I Winner

Washington, D.C. (July 20, 2005) – Robert and Kate Boyce of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, have been selected as regional winners of the 2005 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). Their farm, Li’l Ponderosa, is one of seven regional winners nationwide. The prestigious program is in its 15th year and is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences L.L.C. and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

The annual award program, administered by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), recognizes cattle producers across the nation, whose stewardship practices are innovative, cost-effective and contribute to environmental conservation. The Boyce’s are the sole representative of NCBA’s Region I, which includes 17 mid-Atlantic and northeastern states. They were nominated for the award by the Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s Association.

“This award program acknowledges cattle producers who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to preserve natural resources,” explains Stacey Katseanes, coordinator of the program. “People who devote their lives to working the land embody the true meaning of environmentalists, and for this Pennsylvania family, conservation is a lifetime commitment that has greatly rewarded them. Li’l Ponderosa Enterprises demonstrates how today’s cattlemen utilize creative technologies and innovations to operate a profitable and environmentally-friendly business.”

Li’l Ponderosa Enterprises is three business entities operating out of one address and includes Angus cattle, thoroughbred horses and a combination of several distributorships for products directly related to Grazing Solutions. Li’l Ponderosa Angus, a purebred cow/calf operation founded on the principle focus of breeding livestock with grass genetics, is the primary focus of the Boyce’s with approximately 90 head being currently grazed on the farm.

Since the purchase of the farm 18 years ago, the Boyce’s have been dedicated to the implementation of effective conservation practices to increase the quality and production levels of their land. These practices include: rotational grazing, brush management, stream bank fencing, stream crossings, dry manure storage facility and a pond constructed for irrigation and stock-watering that also serves as a wildlife habitat. As a result of these practices, they have been able to produce high-quality, high-quantity forage and a clean watering system. The Boyce’s have also seen increased wildlife populations since purchasing their farm.

“The physical nature of the Li’l Ponderosa Enterprises is surpassed only by the enthusiastic, helpful attitude of the Boyces,” says Dr. Lowell Wilson, administrative secretary of the Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s Association. “We are assured that the operation will not only continue, but will improve and contribute even more to our industry.”

The Boyce’s work diligently with NRCS and the Farm Service Agency to protect and improve the land and religiously follow an NRCS-approved farm plan developed in 1987.  They also participate in the Environmental Quality Incentives Programs, which is administered by NRCS. Li’l Ponderosa Enterprises has received other awards for their efforts such as the 2001 Pennsylvania Forage and Grassland Council’s Conservation Farmer Award and the Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s Association’s Environmental Stewardship Award in 2003.

“Li’l Ponderosa is a leader in their community and in the industry, combining sound cattle management and environmental practices,” says Katseanes.

 “We want to live and work in lockstep with God and Mother Nature,” says Robert. “We wish to preserve the traditional values that made America great. We believe that God will provide, but we know he expects us to bring a shovel.”

Li’l Ponderosa Enterprises will be formally recognized as a regional ESAP winner at the 2005 Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver, Colorado, on July 28th. One of the seven regional winners will be selected as the national winner and announced in February 2006 at NCBA’s Annual Convention, also in Denver. For additional information on the family or other regional winners, contact NCBA’s Washington, D.C., office at 202-347-0228.

Florida Ranch Wins Top Environmental Award

Lightsey Cattle Company is ESAP Region II Winner

Washington, D.C. (July 20, 2005) –The Lightsey family of Lake Wales, Florida, has been selected as regional winners of the 2005 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). Their ranch, Lightsey Cattle Company, is one of seven regional winners nationwide. The prestigious program is in its 15th year and is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences L.L.C. and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

The annual award program, administered by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), recognizes cattle producers across the nation whose stewardship practices are innovative, cost-effective and contribute to environmental conservation. The Lightsey’s are the sole representative of NCBA’s Region II, which consists of eight southern states, including Florida and Alabama. They were nominated for the award by the Florida Cattlemen’s Association.

“This award program acknowledges cattlemen who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to preserve natural resources,” explains Stacey Katseanes, coordinator of the program. “People who devote their lives to working the land embody the true meaning of environmentalists, and for this Florida family, conservation is a lifetime commitment that has greatly rewarded them. Lightsey Cattle Company demonstrates how today’s cattlemen utilize creative technologies and innovations to operate a profitable and environmentally-friendly business.”

Lightsey Cattle Company is a diverse business with three separately located ranches, whose daily operations include a cow/calf operation, preconditioning feedlot, guided hunting, citrus groves, the cutting of timber, sod and seed and ecological tours of the ranches. Lightsey Cattle Company’s biggest source of income is the cattle operation, which consists of 3,900 head of Brahman cross females.  The total acreage of the three ranches consists of 11,400 privately owned and 18,000 leased acres.

The land has been with the family since the mid 1800s and is kept 60 percent improved grasses and 40 percent native. The Lightsey family has been devoted in their efforts to continue the family tradition of preserving the land so future generations can continue their family business. Some of the conservation systems implemented are rotational grazing, harvesting overgrown timber, guided hunting to control wildlife populations, deep ditch water systems, controlled pasture burning and most notably, helping to protect and restore 28 endangered species that inhabit their ranches, including the bald eagle.

“The Lightseys conduct their lives and manage their ranching operations according to a simple yet profound ethic:  the right thing for the land is the right thing for business, humanity, and all creatures and creation,” states James A. Murrian, Director of Conservation and Stewardship of The Nature Conservancy. “The Lightseys are unquestionably leaders in the area of maintaining the ranching culture while looking for innovative ways to ensure ranches remain economically viable and environmentally sustainable.”

The Lightsey family has a long list of environmental agencies and organizations who they have worked with on the environmental stewardship projects incorporated on their ranches. The list includes the NRCS, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Florida Division of Forestry, University of Florida Extension Service, The Nature Conservancy and Green Horizon. Lightsey Cattle Company hosts environmental groups on ranch and ecological tours and the family is actively involved with area conservation organizations, the Florida Cattlemen’s Association and Florida CattleWomen’s Inc.

“The long-standing commitment of the Lightsey family to preserve and protect their land has allowed the ranches to increase productivity while protecting the environment,” says Katseanas, “For example, the family has agreed to several conservation easements on parts of two of their ranches, which really proves their long term commitment.”

“Lightsey Cattle Company is held in the highest regard by the conservation communities in the state of Florida. The family’s actions to work with state and federal agencies and non-profit organizations to help conserve their land for future generations are exemplary,” says Hilary Swain, Executive Director of Archbold Biological Station.

“Stewardship has to do with how we manage our time, talent, resources…our entire lives. It is a beautiful concept when understood. We are blessed by having the task of caring for all that we possess in our lives, such as our land, livestock, wildlife, water, air and our earth,” says Cary Lightsey. “We want to share our goals and to insure that the future members of our family will have a livelihood much like the one we had…to work our land, the cattle and wildlife and all that goes along with it. “

Lightsey Cattle Company will be formally recognized as a regional ESAP winner at the 2005 Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver, Colorado, on July 28th. One of the seven regional winners will be selected as the national winner and announced in February 2006 at NCBA’s Annual Convention, also in Denver. For additional information on the family or other regional winners, contact NCBA’s Washington,