Farm & Ranch
Planting the seed early: Kids on the Land sustaining their future
By staff Jessica Bartel
With an ever-changing ecosystem and never-ending drought, producers and agriculturists have said the younger generations will only know a time of drought. Even more staggering to think about, will this younger generation know anything about agriculture and care for it? Their window of opportunity comes in high school with such programs like 4-H and FFA. But, what if they could be reached before that, in elementary?
In 2003 executive director, Peggy Maddox, a former educator, formed a program by the name “Kids on the Land.” Maddox received her bachelor’s degree in secondary education in 1985. Afterward she taught public school for 17 years and developed and taught the program for gifted/talented students in grades 5 through 8 in Sweetwater, TX. Maddox received honors throughout her career as an educator. To name a few, Maddox was named Teacher of the Year for her region two times and was the Texas Association for Gifted/Talented Teacher of the year in 2001. Maddox was also recognized by the Lt. Governor of Texas for her work as a teacher of young environmentalists. In 2002 Maddox also received the Rachel Carson Women in Science Award from a group of Texas environmental organizations.
Kids on the Land was based on the belief that kids need to reconnect to the land, especially in the land in their environment. To read more pick up the June issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch.
By Heather Welper
Husband and wife duo, Heather and Calvin Welper, are the Co-Owners and Operators or Two C Livestock, located in Valley View, Texas.
The pair’s operation has a show cattle focus where they raise and sell purebred heifers of all breeds and club calf Hereford steers.
When it comes to show cattle, the Welpers know a thing or two including how to prepare for the cold winter months and the Texas major show season run.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Hannah Claxton, Editor
As the sun rises each day, so do the dozens of mouths that Meghan McGovern is responsible for getting fed. Rather than the sounds of a rooster crowing, McGovern hears the bellows and bleats of a variety of exotic deer, the chortle of kangaroos, the grunts of water buffaloes, and the chirps of a lemur.
Nestled against the banks of the Red River, the Double M Ranch and Rescue, with its high game fences and deer sprinkling the landscape,s its in stark contrast to the surrounding ranches.
“Having deer is kind of like eating potato chips- you can never actually have just one,” said McGovern with a laugh.
McGovern has several herds to take care of- fallow deer, axis deer, water buffalo, goats, and bison. In smaller numbers, there’s also a few kangaroos, a lemur, a potbelly pig, a pair of zebras, a watusi, and a few horses.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Barry Whitworth, DVM, MPH
With the prolonged drought, most pastures in Oklahoma end up in poor condition. With the lack of available forage, animals may go in search of alternative foods.
If oak trees are in the pastures, acorns may be a favorite meal for some livestock in the fall. This may result in oak poisoning.
Oak leaves, twigs, buds, and acorns may be toxic to some animals when consumed.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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