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

                        Tanya A. Camarra     (202) 347-0228     tacamarra@beef.org

Regional Environmental Stewardship Award Winners Announced: 

Pennsylvania Family Farm Wins Top Environmental Award

Sunrise Club Calves are ESAP Region I Recipient

Washington, D.C. (July 18, 2007) – Paul and Beth Wingard, owners of Sunrise Club Calves of Shippenville, Pennsylvania, have been selected as regional winners of the 2007 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). The Wingard family is one of this year’s regional ESAP winners nationwide.

The prestigious award program recognizes cattle producers across the nation who utilize innovative and extensive environmental stewardship practices on their operations. The program, now its 17th year, is administered by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and sponsored by Dow AgroSciences L.L.C. and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Sunrise Club Calves represents NCBA’s Region I, which includes nine states spanning from Kentucky to New York.  They were nominated by Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s Association. The cow/calf operation specializes in producing club calves, which are calves purchased to be shown as project animals.

”The Wingards are dedicated to environmental stewardship and educating the many youth groups within their region about the importance of conservation and sustainability,” explains Dave Petty, Chairman of the selection committee. ”This family has taken proactive steps to ensure an environmentally sustainable operation while educating the leaders of tomorrow through field days, tours and their annual sale.  They demonstrate how environmentally friendly practices can also make for a profitable business by positioning their customers for success.”