A western Nebraska cattle operation has received national recognition for its long-standing commitment to conservation and land management.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has named Wine Glass Ranch, near Imperial, Nebraska, as the 2025 national winner of the Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). NCBA presented the award during CattleCon 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The program recognizes cattle producers who demonstrate environmental responsibility while maintaining productive, economically viable operations.
Multi-Generational Ranch Focuses on Long-Term Land Care
Jeff and Connie Pribbeno own and operate Wine Glass Ranch alongside their son Logan and daughter-in-law Brianna. The family manages a cow-calf, stocker, and grain operation near the Nebraska–Colorado border.
The region’s arid climate and sandy soils present ongoing challenges. The Pribbenos say they manage those conditions by prioritizing long-term land health alongside profitability.
“This ranch has been in my family for 140 years, and we are the stewards of the ground,” said Logan Pribbeno. “We are grazing the best and leaving the rest for the benefit of our soil health.”
Rotational Grazing Supports Soil and Plant Recovery
The ranch relies on an extensive rotational grazing system to support soil health and plant diversity.
The family has installed more than 200 miles of cross fencing, creating roughly 90 paddocks. This system allows cattle to move frequently while keeping about 95 percent of the ranch resting at any given time.
According to the Pribbenos, this approach has increased plant diversity and encouraged the return of native grasses. Species such as sand bluestem and Indian grass, which are difficult to establish in sandy soils, have reappeared across the operation.
Conservation Partnerships Play a Key Role
The Pribbenos work closely with state and federal agencies on conservation projects. They say these partnerships have supported their grazing system and helped advance their stewardship goals.
“You don’t build something like this without a lot of thinking and dreaming and sharing it together,” Pribbeno said. “Achieving these goals together—there’s nothing better.”
Environmental Stewardship Award Program Background
Established in 1991, the Environmental Stewardship Award Program highlights cattle producers who demonstrate leadership in land management and conservation. Each year, NCBA recognizes regional winners and selects one national honouree.
In addition to Wine Glass Ranch, 2025 regional award recipients include operations in Kentucky, Florida, Iowa, Texas, Montana, and Nebraska.
The program receives support from industry sponsors and federal agencies, including the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Corteva Agriscience, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
