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Holland participates in Ranch Brigade

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JT Holland of Moran participated in an extensive, hands-on educational camp on ranching and land stewardship at the Warren Ranch near Santa Anna July 16-20. 

Ranch Brigade, now in its sixth year, accepts youth ages 13 to 18 for approximately 25 coveted spots in the program that introduces the young men and women to the broad ranging aspects of operating a modern Texas ranch. 

The five-day program is designed to teach leadership, stewardship of the land, and livestock production. 

Holland was a member of the 6th Battalion’s “Top Herd” group, which earned the most cumulative points in various leadership, teamwork, and ranch skill activities. 

“I learned that beef production starts with grass production,” said Holland who will be a junior at Moran High School this fall. “This experience has better informed me about taking care of the land when I get home. I went to Ranch Brigade to learn about running the correct number of cows on our land and improving our cattle quality.”

Ranch Brigade is one of six brigade programs that provide youth an intensive and exciting educational experience built on the important principal of stewardship of natural resources vital to livestock and various wildlife species in Texas. 

Administered by an organization called Texas Brigades, a 501(c)3 organization, other brigade camps focus on stewardship and management of Bobwhite Quail, Whitetail Deer, waterfowl, Largemouth Bass, and coastal aquatic / marine species. More information on Texas Brigades can be found at www.texasbrigades.org.

Ranch Brigade exposed Holland to a variety of progressive ranch management practices including cattle health and welfare, rangeland ecology and stewardship, cattle marketing, brush control, beef carcass evaluation and marketing, and native plant identification. 

Holland’s hard work was quickly acknowledged by Ranch Brigade officials.

“The dedication and passion that these young men and women exhibit for the beef industry and natural resource management assures me that the future of Texas ranching is in good hands,” said Ranch Brigade coordinator Chris Farley. “Ranch Brigade is a major success because of the leadership roles they’ll play protecting our private lands and helping feed a hungry world.”

JT is the son of Russell and Kim Holland of Moran.