FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Silver Hills Ranch at Lumby, B.C., was named 2012 environmental stewards at the British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association convention.
Rod and Nonie Hesketh moved to the ranch in 1962. Located 30 kilo-metres east of Vernon, the 2,000 acre property has been modernized and upgraded.
The family recently completed its five year renewal of the environmental farm plan with more improvements coming.
Grazing and water management have been critical to making the property more productive for their Black Baldie herd and surrounding wildlife.
Off stream watering sites are offered to cattle and a fencing program has protected creeks, improved grazing and enhanced wildlife habitat. The ranch was recently certified as salmon safe.
The couple’s son Mark and his wife run the ranch full time, while their other son, Lee, helps part time and works as a stewardship co-ordinator managing the Farmland Riparian Interface Stewardship Program.
The family supplements its farm income with timber harvesting.
The BCCA’s convention was held in Fort St. John, B.C., May 31 to June 2.
