This week at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a Wamego family won a national award for stewardship. The Downey Ranch, Inc., a fourth and fifth-generation cattle ranch, was one of seven ranches to win at CattleCon in San Antonio Texas, which was held February 4-6. They won the Environmental Stewardship Award for Region 7, which is in its third decade of running.

The Downey Ranch is owned and operated by Barb Downey and her husband, Joe Carpenter, along with the pair’s two adult daughters, Anna and Laura. The ranch was founded in 1986 by Joe Downey with a 550-head operation of registered and commercial cows.

The 6,000-acre farm is located southwest of Wamego. They are also a founding member and stockholder of US Premium Beef and raise registered Angus as part of their herd.