Stars in Agriculture: Environmental Stewardship Award Winners

Step aside TIFF, the Oscars and the red carpet: Agriculture recognizes some stars of their own – stars in stewardship.

August marks the time of the TESA (The Environmental Stewardship Awards) — given out to a cattle rancher or farmer who is doing their upmost to be good stewards of the land and the natural resources in their care.

What is STEWARDSHIP: Being responsible for keeping order or the management of another’s property. (Canadian Oxford Dictionary)

Take note, that it does not imply ownership – but care, tending and order. An interesting way that those in agriculture look at their work and the world.

Long before ‘sustainability’ became fashionable, in 1996 the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association began the TESA program as a way to mentor stewardship among peers. The award is given to recognize those who are leaders in conservation all while raising their cattle with care.

Here is the 2015 TESA recipient and some of the remarkable things they are doing (and have done) to demonstrate their commitment to stewardship: Darrell & Doris Squair of Squaw Valley Ranch near Langly, B.C. run the ranch with their son Trevor and daughter-in-law Katie.

Quick Stats:

• The ranch is situated at the base of Park Mountain, consisting of 500 cattle, and 3,500 acres of land (both leased and owned) as well as thousands of acres of sub-alpine Crown range for grazing.
• The ranch is surrounded by a 1300 acre woodlot that was added to preserve the integrity of the environment and enhance sustainability.

Darrell & Doris’ commitment: «A healthy environment is a sustainable environment that everyone will be able to enjoy today as well as for future generations.»

Stewardship in Action (a few good works):

• The Squairs were first among their peers to develop an Environmental Farm Plan for their multiple properties.
• They invested in a customized hydro electric dam to provide efficient environmentally friendly power source for the ranch.
• They have committed to co-exist with animals in their habitat – including even the grizzly bears. Predator issues are non-existent —  the ranch cattle share land with grizzlies. There is a no-hunt philosophy on their property.
• Cattle are fenced off from streams and waterways to protect the riparian areas (riverbanks).
• Crops for feeding are all homegrown.
• Fields are naturally renewed with cattle manure for nutrient enhancement.
• A bird sanctuary is maintained at Rawlings Lake, with restoration projects and water level management in place.

The goal of the ranch is to continue in the preservation of its surroundings where generations to come can participate and appreciate a vision that has taken years to develop.

In a word, Darrell and Doris and their family exercise CARE. For other examples of starring stewards in action, check out our YouTube playlist on the Canadian Beef Story and visit The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.