Colorado Producer Receives Environmental Award
US - The National Young Farmers Educational Association (NYFEA), Montana State University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln named Todd Inglee and family of Arvada, Colorado, owners of Ralston Valley Beef, as their 2011 Environmental Leader.The national award recognizes young and beginning producers who integrate environmental management into their overall business and production plans.
Ralston Valley Beef, www.ralstonvalleybeef.com, raises grass-fed and grain-finished cattle; they sell direct to individuals, and restaurants and specialty grocers. The company also coordinates the custom processing and delivery of beef. RVB's mission is to provide high quality ranch-direct beef in a simple, convenient and responsible manner.
The company headquarters is in Arvada, Colorado. Cattle come from two ranches: one located in the Rocky Mountain meadows of Clear Creek County west of Denver and one located in the grassy high plains east of Colorado Springs.
Mr Inglee’s conservation work is focused on range restoration and water quality. The range and pasture goals include restoring historical irrigation, increasing grass species, and controlling undesirable plants. The water quality goals are to stabilize stream banks and improve overall fish habitat.
Aspen Ranch in Evergreen, established in 1961, specializes in backgrounding, hay production and provides summer pasture. The Yoder Ranch near Karval supplies source cattle, winter pasture and has a grow-feed and finish operation.
“It’s our goal to improve the land, our local communities, and enrich the families we serve over our lifetime -- helping them leave legacies that last generations,” said Mr Inglee.
A native of Golden, Mr Inglee has been involved with the livestock industry for much of his career, growing up helping with his family's small stocker operation. He graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in speech communications and has worked for the Colorado Cattlemen's Association and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.
The Environmental Leaders Award is designed to educate and recognize young and beginning producers who integrate environmental management into their overall business and production plans. It is sponsored by the National Young Farmers Educational Association (NYFEA), Montana State University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is supported by USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
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