From Matagorda County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)
Sneary Cattle Company and Shawna Mutchler have been recognized through the Texas Conservation Awards Program for their outstanding commitment to soil and water conservation.
Sneary Cattle Company was honored with First Place in the Conservation Rancher category, while Mutchler was awarded Runner-Up Conservation Teacher.
They were recognized at the Area 3 Conservation Awards Banquet on May 6, in George West.
Sneary Cattle Company is Loy and Helen Sneary and their children - Adam and wife Alycia, and Shannon and husband Jim.
They were nominated by the Matagorda County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) for implementing conservation best management practices on their operation, including such things as adaptive high stock density grazing, mechanical brush management, and livestock pipelines for water distribution.
These practices help protect natural resources while supporting productive agricultural working lands.
Additionally, Sneary Cattle Company has worked closely with the Matagorda County SWCD for many years, and most recently assisted them with their 2024 Soil Health Field Day.
Mutchler is the 8th Grade English Teacher at Palacios I.S.D.
She was nominated by the Matagorda County SWCD because she has successfully integrated conservation themes into her English curriculum by using environmental topics as context for writing assignments and is building interdisciplinary connections between language arts and science.
Additionally, she is developing student communication skills through real-world issues and empowering her students to become informed environmental citizens.
The Matagorda County SWCD loaned Mutchler a hydroponic tower that she incorporated into her classroom.
This project combined science, technology, and environmental education. Mutchler said that she was proud of the students’ dedication and accomplishments with this hands-on learning experience.
It was recently announced that Sneary Cattle Company is the State Conservation Rancher and will be recognized at the 86th Annual Meeting of SWCD Directors in Round Rock, Texas Sept. 29.
The Texas Conservation Awards Program, established in the late 1970s, honors conservation leaders across the state who demonstrate exceptional stewardship of soil, water, and related natural resources.
The program highlights the vital role that landowners, educators, and conservation partners play in sustaining Texas’ agricultural and environmental legacy.
Award categories include Conservation Poster Contests, Junior and Senior Conservation Essay Contests, Conservation Farmer, Conservation Rancher, Wildlife Conservationist, Conservation Teacher, Friend of Conservation, and Outstanding Soil and Water Conservation District.
Sponsored by the state’s 216 SWCDs, the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, and the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the awards program encourages continued innovation and leadership in conservation through recognition and friendly competition.