Local ranch honored

A Northern California cattle operation was among seven ranches around the nation selected as a winner of the 2009 Environmental Stewardship Award.

Leavitt Lake Ranches in Vina—a certified organic, grass-fed cow-calf and yearling ranch—was the regional winner of the prestigious honor. The 39,000-acre ranch is located near the Sierra Nevada and was nominated for the 19th annual award by the California Cattlemen’s Association and California Rangeland Trust.

Other winners include a farm in southwest Georgia that raises crops, livestock and timber and a family-owned business with cattle operations in locations across north Texas and New Mexico.

“The Environmental Stewardship Award program gives us an opportunity to honor the men and women of the beef industry who demonstrate leadership on environmental issues, and provide them with a platform to share their best practices with other farmers and ranchers throughout the country,” said Dave Petty, chairman of the Environmental Stewardship Award selection committee.

A national winner will be selected from among the regional winners and announced in January at the 2010 Cattle Industry Annual Convention & NCBA Trade Show in San Antonio, Texas.