None The Nature Conservancy in California Press Releases Search All Press Releases Shari Cravens Phone: (805) 544-1767 E-mail: scravens@tnc.org Rachel Hickerson Director, Public Relations, CCA Phone: (916) 444-0845

California Ranching Family Named National Winner of Environmental Stewardship Award

Work Family Ranch was nominated by The Nature Conservancy in California

Washington, D.C.—January 29, 2004—Elaine and George Work, owners of the Work Family Ranch, have been selected as this year's 2004 National Environmental Stewardship Award winners.  The award is handed out annually by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and recognizes cattle producers whose stewardship practices are inventive, cost effective and contribute to environmental conservation. Judges also consider the nominees' leadership abilities, the productivity and profitability of their operations, and their involvement with local, regional and national efforts to improve stewardship practices and the public perception of the cattle industry.

"George Work has been recognized for his pioneering work in soil and water conservation," stated CCA President, Darrel Sweet, "He was one of the first ranchers in the United States to begin practicing Holistic Management.  The Work Ranch sets an example that needs to be shared with as wide an audience as possible." The Work Family Ranch was initially selected as one of seven regional winners, representing NCBA's region VI, which includes five southwest states and Hawaii.

The ranch was nominated by The Nature Conservancy, who nominated last year's national award winner as well. The Work family's nomination  included letters of support from the San Luis Obispo and Monterey County Cattlemen's Associations, the California Cattlemen's Association, the California Department of Fish and Game, the Upper Salinas-Las Tablas Resource Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

"We've enjoyed collaborating with the Works to promote ranching practices that are both conservation friendly and economically sound," said Graham Chisholm, executive director of The Nature Conservancy in California. "The future of California's natural heritage is  linked to the future of ranching families like the Works, who understand the correlation between healthy land and business success. We're thrilled for George and Elaine."

Nestled in the Cholame Hills of Central California, the Work Family Ranch is a combination cow/calf and stocker operation.  This family owned operation provided a livelihood for four generations, and is well on its way to being fifth-generation- operated.  Guided hunts, a Farm stay program, public trail rides and girls' horse camp make up the rest of this unique ranch. The original ranch was homesteaded in the late 1890's and has been thriving ever since. The ranch consists of 12,000 owned acres, with 9,000 acres for grazing on native and non-native perennial grasses, 1,000 acres for dry land farming, 1,000 acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, and 1,000 acres rotated between pasture and crops.  The ranch is considered a year round grazing operation with no supplementation to their 200 head of mother cows and 200 head of stockers.

"We feel honored and encouraged," said George Work, whose grandparents first homesteaded portions of the ranch in the late 1890s.  "We are just one representation of all the many good things that are going on our farms and ranches.   Since learning about the stewardship from my father," continues Work, "I have understood the importance and responsibility of using management techniques and processes that help ensure the future operation of the ranch for all life."

Besides their work on the ranch, George and Elaine Work have served on numerous boards - including the Upper Salinas-Las Tablas Resource Conservation District Board.  George regularly speaks to organizations about his family's decision to manage its land in ways that benefit the environment and future generations.   The Works are innovators as well as teachers. They have not only conceived and implemented many creative ways to address many management issues on their ranch - including soil conservation, control of invasive weeds, and improving habitat and water sources for wildlife - they have shared their ideas, successes and failures with other ranchers, public agencies, environmentalists and just about anyone else who will listen to their story. George has been a featured speaker at dozens of workshops and conferences, and at meetings of civic, ranching and environmental organizations throughout California, as well as in Australia and New Zealand.