LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. – When Mike and Tammy Wilson purchased 75 acres in January 1999, they literally had to start from scratch because the worn-out farmland hadn’t been touched since 1971, according to this Lawrenceburg couple.

“I got the farm at a very reasonable price, which made it worthwhile for me to come in here and clean it up, and turn it back into a working farm,” Mike said in an interview last year with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). “Anderson County has some good flat cropland. Then it has some hilly land kind of like what we’ve got here. But you’re not going to crop this land. So, I mean it’s either cows, or just let it grow up.”

On the front of it, he said he has Indian Creek that runs through it: “And on the back of my farm, I have Hammond’s Creek where it runs into Salt River, and I’m trying to keep those creeks as clean as I can. So, the big thing is not to overgraze when you put (cattle) in the field.”

He said he’s always looking for new ways to make the farm – known as Whispering Hills Farm in Lawrenceburg – profitable and sustainable for future generations: “I got one young son now. That’s his dream. I like to see it pass on and keep going. I’m grateful for what I’ve got.

“I’m grateful for what I’ve managed to accomplish, getting it cleaned up,” he added. “But it took a lot of sweat and blood to get it to where it’s at now. But I can look back on my accomplishments, and I’m very satisfied with my results. It’s just a joy.”

He told Farm World, “We named our farm Whispering Hills because it has a lot of rolling hills, and there is often a breeze blowing through the hills like a whisper.”

The Wilsons were among the 2025 regional honorees at CattleCon 2026, Feb. 3-5, in Nashville, Tenn. They were selected as NCBA’s Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) Region 1 winner.

Established in 1991, ESAP celebrates outstanding land stewards in the cattle industry. ESAP sponsors include the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Corteva Agriscience, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, partnering with NCBA to promote environmental stewardship throughout the beef supply chain.

“Mike Wilson has worked with numerous federal, state and local government conservation agencies for the last two decades, allowing him to gain new insight on an array of techniques related to cattle farming, silviculture and wildlife habitat,” said Brandon Jacobs, NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program state manager.

Silviculture is the art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests and woodlands to meet diverse needs like timber production, wildlife habitat, and conservation, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

“The meetings, training and field days Mr. Wilson has hosted or attended are far too many to count, but one thing is for certain: the impact his family has within the local community is inspiring,” Jacobs added. “It resonates and makes a significant impact on those aspiring to be better stewards of the land.”

Wilson told Farm World all their children have been involved with helping on the farm at some point. “Currently, our son-in-law helps occasionally, and we have a 15-year-old that helps frequently,” he said. “We are a cow and calf operation. We have a Simmental and Angus cross herd. We also sell freezer beef and bred heifers. We grow hay for ourselves and sell some of it.”

In July 2025, he was named a finalist for the Kentucky Farm Bureau Farmer of the Year award. Whispering Hills Farm won the 2024 Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award at the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts’ Annual Convention, receiving $10,000 for being selected. The award honors farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in the management of soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land.

Wilson said, “As we face limited resources and a growing population, it is only going to become more important for our industry to adapt and innovate. As a farmer, it is my job to take care of the land, and if I take care of it, it will take care of us.”

He told Farm World they are honored to win the award and be recognized for their dedication: “We plan to share what we have learned with others,” adding, “I would advise new farmers to get in touch with other conservation specialists and to network with other farmers so they can gain knowledge about what works best. Also, becoming active with their local cattlemen’s association is helpful.”