Farm & Ranch
Horns 4 Hope: Helping Fight Food Insecurity in North Texas
By Dani Blackburn
In one of the most developed countries in the world, food insecurity remains a very real issue for more than 38 million people in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Even more devastating are statistics showing the effect of hunger on children as nearly 12 million were food insecure during 2020.
What is food insecurity? The USDA defines it as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life and differs slightly from the meaning of hunger.
Hunger implies that feeling of physical sensation of discomfort when one is lacking food, whereas food insecurity is the shortage of consistent access to food. Every community in the country is home to families who face food insecurity, including those right here in North Texas. In fact, food insecurity is highest in the south at 12.3 percent. Many close to home are just one layoff or missed paycheck away from struggling to put food on the table for their family. Numerous individuals do not qualify for government food programs, or when they do, it is still not enough. They turn to their local nonprofits and food pantries for the support they need during difficult times.
Historically, those food pantries across the Lone Star State have lacked the ability to provide consistent high-quality protein to the families they serve. One North Texas nonprofit by the name of Horns 4 Hope is working to confront this challenge by providing protein, in the form of quality ground beef, to those who need it most. The organization’s goal is to collaborate with individuals, businesses, ranchers, rodeo families, and volunteers to contribute to the immense need for fresh meat at local pantries. Since September 2020, they have donated over 10,000 pounds of quality protein beef. Their goals are reached through the donations of cattle, hay, feed, pasture, cattle processing fees, and monetary donations.
To read more pick up a copy of the January 2022 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
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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