Eastern Oregon Ranch Named Environmental Stewardship Award Winner

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association has announced its 2026 Environmental Stewardship Award regional winners, recognizing ranchers for outstanding conservation and land management. 

Oregon's V Box Land and Livestock near Juntura earned top honors for Region Five.  NCBA said under Linda Bentz's leadership, the ranch has restored riverbanks, removed thousands of acres of invasive juniper and annual grasses, improved wildlife habitat, and reduced wildfire risk while supporting the next generation of family ranchers.  

V Box Land and Livestock encompasses nearly 28,000 private acres and 180,000 acres of public lands.  When Mike passed away in 2015, Linda and her five children continued the cow-calf operation.  Through Linda’s leadership, more than 6,000 acres of western juniper were removed,  16,000 acres of invasive annual grasses treated, 10,000 feet of riverbank restored, and nearly 4,000 willows and native shrubs planted. These efforts improved water quality, enhanced sage grouse habitat, reduced wildfire risk, and strengthened long-term forage productivity.   NCBA said today, the ranch is divided into separate operations for the next generation, and all five children and their families are ranching and carrying forward the conservation ethic instilled by their parents. 

One of the seven regional winners will be named the national Environmental Stewardship Award recipient during CattleCon 2027 in Nashville in February. 

Click Here to learn more about the NCBA's Program.

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