WELLS, Nev. (RFD News) — Cottonwood Ranch, a six-generation cow-calf and horse operation in Nevada led by the Smith and Molsbee families, has remained focused on sustainable cattle production and long-term stewardship of both private and public lands.
The ranch was recognized as the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award Program Region VI winner for its collaborative approach to land management and conservation efforts.
McKenzie Molsbee says caring for the ranch has always centered around preserving it for future generations.
“We have been committed to environmental stewardship for decades, and everything we do is thinking about how it is going to be for the next generation. It’s really rewarding to be on the ground and to see good things happening with cows.”
Jason Molsbee says the family takes pride in the progress the operation has made over the years.
“You hope that what you’re putting in is going to outlast you by far, but where this place started originally, it’s come a long way. It’s been a long process of everybody just trying to incrementally do something a little bit better than last time, and I don’t think that’s doing anything special at all,” he continued. “I think that’s just what ranchers do. You’re in it for the long haul, and you’re looking for ways to make things better.”
The family says ranching is about much more than business and that being caretakers of the land is something that continues to give them purpose and fulfillment.
