The National Cattlemen's Foundation

We have lost three great leaders in the beef industry, W.D. Farr of Greeley, Colorado; Fred H. Johnson of Summitville, Ohio; and Paul Hitch of Guymon, Oklahoma. Click here to read about the life and accomplishments of W.D. Farr, Fred Johnson, and Paul Hitch.

Give GREEN 4 GREEN:

Is the environment, clean water and air, luscious landscapes or preserving a legacy important to you? The Environmental Stewardship Program is for you! For hundreds of years America’s farmers and ranchers have been improving wildlife habitat, conserving natural resources and leaving the land in better condition than when they found it.

Join the National Cattlemen’s Foundation in going GREEN! The Environmental Stewardship Program focuses on building a sustainable environment, conserving valuable lands and wilderness, and developing educational opportunities for everyone.

Give “Green 4 Green” and learn more about how you can make a positive environmental impact.

Contributions are tax deductible as the Environmental Stewardship Program is coordinated by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation. The National Cattlemen’s Foundation is a designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. The Tax ID Number is 23-7259504.

Our Mission

Celebrating its 35th Anniversary in 2008, the National Cattlemen's Foundation advances the future of the beef industry with passion and urgency for the benefit of consumers and cattlemen.

We do this by:

Educating people of all ages and interests about the beef industry,
Providing scholarship opportunities to inspire young people to pursue careers in all phases of agriculture,
Conducting research to ensure a safe, healthy and economical product for consumers, and
Offering a means for people to invest in the beef industry's legacy, lifestyle and business.

Leadership Programs

W.D. Farr Scholarships—Two $12,000 graduate scholarships awarded annually honoring the life's work of the late W.D. Farr of Greeley, Colorado.
Fort Dodge Animal Health—Five $5,000 scholarships: 2 scholarships dedicated to undergraduate juniors/seniors studying bovine production & 3 scholarships dedicated to veterinary students focused on bovine practice.
2008 Fort Dodge Animal Health Legacy scholarship applications are due April 30, 2008.
CME Group Beef Industry Scholarships—10 undergraduate scholarships at $1,500 each to students studying agriculture.
Fred Johnson Memorial Scholarship—Benefiting a Master's or Ph.D. student studying meat animal science or genetics.
Beef Industry Vision Awards—sponsored by Micro Beef Technologies recognizing innovation and leadership across all segments of the industry.
National Collegiate Beef Quiz Bowl—Four teams compete annually for the championship at the Beef Industry Convention. Sponsored by American AgCredit, ACA and presented in cooperation with the American Society of Animal Science.
Environmental Stewardship Award—Recognizes cattle producers who have made long-standing contributions to the preservation of our natural resources. Annual national and regional winners representing all areas of the country.
International Livestock Congress-USA—Platinum Sponsor of 2007 & 2008 programs, partnering with the National Western Stock Show and the International Stockmen's Education Foundation.
Walk a Mile in My Boots—Work exchange program that provides producers and government employees with experiences in each other's respective professions. Builds and fosters positive working relationships.
Disaster Relief—Funds raised with 100% distributed to cattlemen needing a hand-up when faced with natural disasters. Raised $120,000 in 2006 for Katrina Disaster Relief; raised $96,000 for High Plains Winter Storm Relief in 2007.
Research—Provide funding for research that will fulfill the Foundation's mission relating to key areas such as childhood wellness, nutrition and safety.

Contributions

The National Cattlemen's Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible and will support the mission and programs of the Foundation. Individuals, corporations and foundations are encouraged to contribute to the National Cattlemen's Foundation. This year, the Trustees have launched a two-pronged fundraising campaign to raise $500,000 in annual working capital and to establish an endowment raising $5 million per year. Building an endowment is a priority of the Foundation, as the organization has operated as a pass-through Foundation in the past. Donors will receive periodic reports demonstrating the accomplishments of the Foundation and the use of contributions.

Areas of Strategic Focus

The areas of Strategic Focus of the National Cattlemen’s Foundation are as follows:

Education & Scholarship – Producer education is widely needed and accepted. There is a critical need for ag-related scholarship funding for young people pursuing undergraduate, graduate and veterinary science degrees. Foundation dollars will help ensure that young people will find the beef industry an attractive career path.

Consumer Interest – Issues such as childhood wellness, the role of beef in a healthy diet and product safety are areas we can address. We can accomplish this through a variety of ways such as research, school wellness programs and advocacy teams. Foundation dollars will help consumers understand that beef should be part of a healthy lifestyle.

Crisis Assistance – We need to be well-positioned to assist fellow cattlemen when disaster strikes or when faced with industry challenges and issues that threaten profitability. The Foundation can help to raise funds for cattlemen who face unexpected adversity through a Cattlemen's Relief Fund.

Legacy Preservation – We can take a leadership role in the exploration of solutions to save the rural lifestyle that is so important to those who live it. The transition of the family farm/ranch from one generation to the next is critical. Another area of concern is healthcare in rural areas in terms of access, cost and quality. The National Cattlemen’s Foundation can help bring information benefiting cattlemen to the forefront.

Environmental Stewardship – The Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes the outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of U.S. cattle producers. For nearly two decades, regional and national award winners have been honored for their commitment to protecting the environment and improving fish and wildlife habitat, while operating profitable cattle operations. The Foundation can support the need for continuing education in this area.

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I believe we are at a similar point that the late W.D. Farr was 35 years ago when his vision directed us to move forward with the National Cattlemen’s Foundation. The next 35 years will be as exciting as the past. We want you to join us on this valuable journey in preserving the cattlemen’s legacy.

Bob Josserand, Chair
Board of Trustees

Learn more about the National Cattlemen's Foundation

• National Cattlemen's Foundation video (3MB for slower connections)
• National Cattlemen's Foundation video (12MB for faster connections)