Cattlemen from across the country were recognized for environmental stewardship at the NCBA convention in Nashville, including a South Dakota ranch.  The Center of the Nation Cattle Company, owned by Jeff and Kim Smeenk and Steve and Kay Smeenk, near Newell was recognized as the Region VII winner.  Jeff Smeenk describes the environmental practices they’ve implemented on their ranch.

Smeenk says although they weren’t the national  winner they felt privileged to be recognized.  He says the award has done a great deal to highlight the great job cattlemen are doing.

The national winner was the Masonic Village Farm, near Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.