WSGA Presents Awards: Outstanding individuals recognized for contributions to the cattle industry
During the 2026 Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) Summer Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show, held June 3-5 in Cody, several outstanding individuals were honored for their contributions to the cattle industry during an awards luncheon on June 5.
Guardian of the Grasslands
The Guardian of the Grasslands Award is given annually to an individual who has put time and effort into preserving Wyoming’s agricultural industry, and this year, the honor went to Niels Hansen of Rawlins.
Public Lands Council (PLC) President Tim Canterbury presented Hansen with the award, highlighting his dedication to protecting public lands ranching in an award nomination written by PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover.
“Hansen has a deep understanding of the policy confines of cattle production and what needs to be done to fix the system,” stated Canterbury. “He’s willing to try new things and be on the leading edge of policy experimentation, putting
himself and his operation forward as a test case for what is possible through thoughtful engagement and years of hard work.”
Hansen thanked WSGA members for the honor, highlighting his gratitude for the support of his wife Barbara and other WSGA members.
“I appreciate everything from all of you in the room here because you have given me support, information and knowledge to share with other people,” Hansen said. “This is a great community.”
Memorial scholarship recipients
Three University of Wyoming (UW) students received scholarships from WSGA to continue their education and further their careers within the cattle industry.
U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) recognized the awardees of the Clifford P. Hansen Memorial Scholarship and the inaugural John J. Hines Memorial Scholarship.
Established through contributions received in memory of the late U.S. 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 Clifford P. Hansen Memorial Scholarship recognizes outstanding college students pursuing an education in agriculture and/or natural resources.
This year’s recipients were Teagan Halsey and Tamika Holte.
Halsey is a rising sophomore at UW studying animal science and farm and ranch management, and Holte is a senior at UW studying animal science, agricultural business and rangeland management.
The inaugural John J. Hines Memorial Scholarship was presented to Sarah Liepold, a senior at UW studying agricultural business with a concentration in livestock management.
The scholarship was established in honor of the late Sen. John Hines, a lifelong Campbell County rancher, past president of WSGA and former Wyoming senator renowned for his advocacy of Wyoming agriculture and responsible natural resource management.
Outstanding Range Professionals
Next, WSGA Past President Mark Eisele presented two recipients with the Outstanding Range Professional Award.
This award recognizes 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.
This year, two members of the U.S. Forest Service Laramie Ranger District – Rangeland Management Specialist Jacqueline Roaque and District Ranger Frank Romero – were honored.
Environmental Stewardship Award
To close out the awards luncheon, WSGA Young Producers Assembly President Nate Kane and UW State Range Management Extension Specialist Nicki Nimlos presented the 2026 Environmental Stewardship Award to Thad and Heidi Stoltz of Stoltz Cattle Company LLC in Arvada.
This award is presented annually by WSGA, in partnership with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, Audubon Rockies and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and recognizes a Wyoming ranch whose natural resource stewardship practices contribute to environmental sustainability while simultaneously enhancing the operation’s productivity and profitability.
“This award shows the great land stewardship happening across the state,” Nimlos shared, emphasizing the importance of honoring families like the Stoltzes and inspiring the next generation of young people in agriculture.
Nimlos thanked the Stoltzes for their partnership with UW researchers and noted WSGA and the Stoltz family will host a tour of the operation on June 25 in recognition of the award.
Keep an eye out for more from the 2026 Wyoming Stock Growers Association Summer Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show in future editions of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
