YOUR AD HERE »

Jeff Smeenk, Rick Doud & Jim Faultisch share insight on conservation practices that work for them

Maria Tussing

Few love the land more than ranchers. They love the dew that wets their boots, the long morning light that gilds a green hay meadow, the first rind of ice filigree on the edge of a stock tank. They have to love it because there’s no other reason they’d dedicate a lifetime to a job that’s more lifestyle than career. “We certainly aren’t in it for the money,” says Jeff Smeenk, a fourth generation rancher from Newell, SD.

Smeenk is one of many ranchers from across the nation who has been recognized for his efforts to integrate conservation into their ranching enterprises.

Few love the land more than ranchers. They love the dew that wets their boots, the long morning light that gilds a green hay meadow, the first rind of ice filigree on the edge of a stock tank. They have to love it because there’s no other reason they’d dedicate a lifetime to a job that’s more lifestyle than career. “We certainly aren’t in it for the money,” says Jeff Smeenk, a fourth generation rancher from Newell, SD.



Smeenk is one of many ranchers from across the nation who has been recognized for his efforts to integrate conservation into their ranching enterprises.

Few love the land more than ranchers. They love the dew that wets their boots, the long morning light that gilds a green hay meadow, the first rind of ice filigree on the edge of a stock tank. They have to love it because there’s no other reason they’d dedicate a lifetime to a job that’s more lifestyle than career. “We certainly aren’t in it for the money,” says Jeff Smeenk, a fourth generation rancher from Newell, SD.



Smeenk is one of many ranchers from across the nation who has been recognized for his efforts to integrate conservation into their ranching enterprises.

Few love the land more than ranchers. They love the dew that wets their boots, the long morning light that gilds a green hay meadow, the first rind of ice filigree on the edge of a stock tank. They have to love it because there’s no other reason they’d dedicate a lifetime to a job that’s more lifestyle than career. “We certainly aren’t in it for the money,” says Jeff Smeenk, a fourth generation rancher from Newell, SD.

Smeenk is one of many ranchers from across the nation who has been recognized for his efforts to integrate conservation into their ranching enterprises.

editor’s note: videos of the six regional level winners of the 2011 environmental stewardship award, including the center of the nation cattle company, have been posted at http://environmentalstewardship.org/regionvii-thecenterofthenationcattlecompany.aspx. the national winner will be announced in february 2012.