Cathy McNeil and her husband, Mike McNeil, own and operate a cattle ranch in Colorado's San Luis Valley that has been in Mike's family since the 1800's.

Along with ranching, the McNeil's also market grass fed beef that they raise on the ranch.

Cathy has been involved in conservation in numerous ways, serving on the Board of Supervisors of the Rio Grande Conservation District for 10 years, 2 of those years as president. She also served as president of the Rio Grande Watershed Association of Conservation Districts for 4 years and as treasurer of the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts for 4 years. Cathy was also the founding president of the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust (RiGHT) and currently serves as board secretary.

Mike and Cathy also founded the Rock Creek Heritage Project which has to date protected in perpetutity, through conservation easements, over 8,000 acres of private ranch land surrounding the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. The McNeil Ranch is protected in its entirety, along with numerous others, providing a buffer between the National Wildlife Refuge and BLM land and National Forest.

Because of their conservation work and land stewardship the McNeils have won several statewide and national conservation awards, including: 1999 Outstanding Conservationist from the Colorado Association of Soil Conservation Districts, 2001 Steward of the Land, a $10,000 national award from American Farmland Trust, 2001 National Wetlands Award - landowner division from the Environmental Law Institute, and the 2005 Leopold Award, a $10,000 award from the Sand County Foundation and Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust.

Mike and Cathy have one daughter, Kelly, who is currently a college senior studying economics and accounting.

Receiving a degree in Geology from Western State College of Colorado in 1976, Cathy worked in the mining and mineral exploration industry until 1991.

A former alpine ski racer, she competed on the Western State Women's Ski Team and is still an avid skier.

Cathy is also a professional musician, playing bass and keyboards in a country rock band called Rock Creek Rebellion.

For more information about the McNeils or to buy grass fed beef, you can access their web site: www.grassfedandhealthy.com