WSGA honors awardees
The Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) wrapped up its Summer Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show on June 4 with an awards luncheon to honor a handful of outstanding individuals.
This year, the convention was held at the University of Wyoming (UW) Conference Center in Laramie June 2-4.
Clifford P. Hansen Memorial Scholarship
To kick off the luncheon, Outgoing President Jack Berger announced the recipients of WSGA’s two $1,500 Clifford P. Hansen Memorial Scholarships.
Established through contributions received in memory of the late Sen. Clifford Hansen, a well-known Teton County rancher, past president of WSGA and former governor of Wyoming, as well as other departed WSGA leaders, the scholarship recognizes outstanding college students pursuing an education in agriculture and/or natural resources.
This year’s recipients were Emi Ramirez of Oak Creek, Colo., a UW senior majoring in animal science with a concentration in production and meat science, and Megan Sagner of Chugwater, a freshman at Sheridan College studying animal science, biology and farrier science with plans to obtain a degree in veterinary medicine and ultimately return to her family’s cow/calf operation.
Upon receiving her scholarship, Sagner said, “I am extremely honored to receive this scholarship and to return to the industry that has done so much for me.”
Ramirez wasn’t present to receive her award.
Outstanding Range Professional Award
Next, David Kane presented UW Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator Barton Stam with the Outstanding Range Professional Award, which recognizes and honors range professionals who have made significant contributions to the livestock industry, particularly those who demonstrate high professional standards and dedication to building strong working relationships with producers.
Kane noted he nominated Stam for the award due to his emergence as a leader in public lands grazing issues and his willingness to speak up on controversial topics.
“He is regularly sought after by ranchers and agencies, specifically the U.S. Forest Service, to provide expert input on controversial subjects,” Kane said.
In acceptance of his award, Stam stated, “I am truly honored to accept this award, and it was humbling to hear all of those wonderful things said about me. I appreciate the opportunity the university and people of Wyoming have given me to have this great career. This award means a lot, and I will display it with pride for the rest of my life.”
Guardian of the Grasslands Award
Filling in for former Rep. Albert Sommers, Milford Lockwood presented the Guardian of the Grasslands Award, which is given to an upstanding individual who has put time and effort into preserving Wyoming’s agriculture industry.
This year’s awardee was Sublette County Conservation District (SCCD) Executive Director Mike Henn.
Lockwood recalled Sommers’ nomination letter, which read, “In order to be a guardian of the grasslands, one must first understand the grasslands. Mike has a deep understanding of the ecology of western Wyoming, and he has an outstanding ability to share wisdom and knowledge with others. He can speak to ranchers, biologists, range ecologists and the general public in a way that brings people together to solve problems, and he has made the effort to ensure SCCD is an active partner in conservation-focused collaborative projects.”
Lockwood said, “I’d also like to add, I’ve been on SCCD for about seven years now, and Mike just celebrated 10 years as our district manager. He has brought our district to a level where we are the envy of many other districts. We do way more than many districts in Wyoming do, and it’s because of Mike’s leadership we have been able to accomplish this.”
In acceptance of his award, Henn thanked his parents, his family, WSGA and WSGA Executive Vice President Jim Magagna, as well as Lockwood, Sommers and Coke Landers for the nomination.
“Lastly, I appreciate everybody throughout my career and the West who have taken me on, taken me under their wing and given me opportunities to let me grow so I can teach others and hopefully grow the next generation of guardians of the grasslands,” Henn said.
Environmental Stewardship Award
To finish out the awards ceremony, Nate Kane presented this year’s Environmental Stewardship Award to Robinson Ranch Company LLC of Douglas.
Jay, Linda and Beth Butler accepted the award, and upon receiving the recognition, Jay offered thanks to Pepper Jo Six for the nomination, Magagna and WSGA for spearheading and maintaining the Environmental Stewardship program and Audubon Rockies for supporting the program financially.
“We applied for this award as an environmentalist stewardship ranch, but we also believe in community stewardship and philanthropy,” Jay said. “We received a $10,000 check for this award, and I believe we should pay it forward. I’d like to take half of it and put it towards the Clifford P. Hansen Memorial Scholarship and the other half to the Robinson Ranch Enrichment Fund Scholarship, which was created last year as a tribute to my grandparents Tom and Ella Robinson.”
Beth also said a few words to commend and thank her father.
“I want to talk a little bit about my dad for just a second and what a great influence he’s been for me,” she said. “Many of you know he wasn’t just a rancher, he was also my eighth-grade science teacher, and he was – and still is – the best teacher I have ever had. I’m so grateful he’s shown me how to run the ranch in a sustainable fashion and that he’s put these things at the forefront of what we do. He has been so important to my life and my growth, and I’m really appreciative to both of my parents for giving me this opportunity.”
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
