The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will sponsor the 17th Annual Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) for 2007.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) developed and along with partners NRCS and Dow AgroSciences, administers ESAP to recognize cattle producers who are exemplary in their stewardship and conservation practices.

Applications for this year’s ESAP are due on March 17. Any individual, group or organization is eligible to nominate one individual/business who raises or feeds cattle. Individuals and families may not nominate themselves.

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The 2007 ESAP application should include a nomination letter, three recommendation letters and an official written application. A sample winning application from previous years can be found online at http://www.beefusa.org/esap.

Nominations can be submitted by any organization or group on behalf of a U.S. cattle producer. Winners are selected by a committee of representative from universities, conservation organizations, and federal and state agencies.

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Through the generous support of NRCS and Dow AgroSciences, regional and national winners have been commended for their commitment to protecting the environment and improving fish and wildlife habitats while operating profitable cattle operations.

For more information about the 2007 ESAP application process, please contact Stacey Katseanes at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, (202) 347-0228 or skatseanes@beef.org.