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A Knox County family is being recognized statewide for proving that good farming and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.
Jeff and Mary Jo Cutlip, along with their daughters, LeighAnn and Laura, have been named recipients of the 2026 Ohio Cattlemen’s Association Environmental Stewardship Award, one of the organization’s highest honors recognizing cattle producers who demonstrate exceptional care for the land, water, livestock and natural resources.
The Cutlip family operates a 200-acre cattle farm in Jefferson Township near Glenmont, where they raise approximately 55 fall-calving mother cows using Shorthorn and Angus genetics. Rather than focusing solely on production, the family has spent years investing in conservation practices designed to protect the farm for future generations.
One of the family’s primary conservation practices is rotational grazing, moving cattle through 16 separate pasture paddocks every few days. The method allows grasslands time to recover, improves soil health, reduces erosion and helps naturally recycle nutrients back into the ground.
“We’re harvesting the sun through the grass into the cow, and it starts with the dirt,” Jeff Cutlip said. “The award is just kind of a byproduct on what we’re doing, and it makes sense for us to do it.”
The family also relies on perennial grasses, carefully manages livestock access during wet conditions to protect vulnerable soils and uses mechanical weed control rather than practices that can damage pasture health. According to the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, those conservation efforts reflect a long-term commitment to sustainable agriculture and responsible land management.
Although the recognition is significant, the Cutlips say the real goal has always been preserving the farm for future generations.
“When you figure that land is your biggest asset, and if you’re not willing to protect it and grow with it, then you’re just kind of wasting your time and energy,” Mary Jo Cutlip said. “We just try to make the right decisions and protect it so it’s there for our kids and their kids.”
The Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes Ohio cattle producers who demonstrate outstanding leadership in conservation while maintaining productive, sustainable farming operations. As Ohio’s 2026 recipient, the Cutlip family will also represent the state in the national environmental stewardship awards program.
