SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 鈥� The National Cattlemen鈥檚 Beef Association recently recognized Blackduck鈥檚 Little Timber Farms as one of seven regional winners of the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award Program during CattleCon 2025 on Feb. 4 in San Antonio, Texas.
Established in 1991, ESAP celebrates outstanding land stewards in the cattle industry. Regional ESAP winners come from every corner of the country and undertake stewardship efforts unique to their environment, landscape and resources, a release said.
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鈥淐onservation practices of cattle farmers and ranchers across the country help to preserve natural resources and provide wildlife habitat,鈥� NCBA President Mark Eisele said in the release. 鈥淭he stewardship efforts of these award recipients confirm our industry鈥檚 commitment to protecting the land and water for future generations.鈥�
Little Timber Farms is owned and operated by fourth-generation farmer Rachel Gray and her family. Over the years, the farm transitioned from dairy and crop production to cow-calf and the current heifer development operation. Gray recognized that the nutritious grass would benefit growing heifers through effective rotational grazing.
The family also aims to protect the Red Lake Watershed as water eventually flows into Hudson Bay. The farm utilizes a nutrient management plan and restricts animal access to water to help protect the vital resource. Due to the family鈥檚 conservation practices, the farm has become a haven for wildlife and waterfowl, and species diversity has increased.
Gray and her family share a passion for communicating with the public about farming and ranching through media interviews, Ag in the Classroom activities, speaking engagements and hosting tours.
鈥淚 believe raising beef is a privilege because not only do we get to feed people, but we get to make our environment a better place,鈥� Gray said. 鈥淚 want to know that I made a difference and that my grandchildren have something to come back to.鈥�
Gray is also the current president-elect of the Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association.
鈥淭he efforts made by Little Timber Farms to improve the natural and human resources for the betterment of making conservation easy, affordable and sustainable make them outstanding environmental stewards,鈥� retired USDA NRCS district conservationist Larry Voltz added. 鈥淭here is never a time when the Gray family turns down the opportunity to share what they are doing for conservation with people in the community.鈥�
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Other award recipients hailed from New York, Florida, Texas, Colorado, Nevada and Kansas.
More information on ESAP can be found at
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