Alumni Spotlight
Current Employer:
Legacy Land and Livestock & Vaca Flaca; Roswell, NM
Job Position/Title:
Owner/Operator/Manage
Job Duties/Responsibilities:
Operations manager, complete care of grow yard, nutritionist, cattle marketing, feed procurement, welder, mechanic, head water leak fixer!, new waterline construction and engineering, equipment operator
TCU RM Reflections:
The practical side of ranching is only half of what it takes to run a ranch. Where TCU steps in, is to give you the business knowledge to get you through the hard times and the relentless droughts that have plagued us here in NM since 2011. The first day at TCU they told us “Take off your blinders, don’t get tunnel vision, there is always a different way to get something done!” Thinking outside the proverbial box is what TCU taught me.
Advice to Applicants/Students:
Go in with an open mind! Be prepared to stay up all night trying to study, or finish a project. You will get out of the program what you put in it! If you’re going to half ass this experience, your probably not going to get through this program! Take good notes because you are going to look back through them for years to come. Ask as many questions as you possibly can, and my professors always impressed upon us, “There’s no stupid questions!” If you’re having problems with your grades, go to the teacher and ask them for help, they are there to help you get through this experience!
Prior Experience/Education:
I had an awesome role model , my dad Mike Corn. He went through the program and helped me learn a lot on our family ranches. The school of hard knocks has taught me a lot over the last 11 years for sure! I also worked for 2 of my classmates (Chance and Collin Bowers) in the panhandle of Texas, working with them taught me more about my priorities than I ever thought I needed to know!
Involvement in Organizations/Clubs:
I’m currently the President-Elect of the NM Cattle Growers Association, on the executive board of the American Sheep Industry, immediate Past President of the NM Wool Growers, Ag Advisory committee for the State Land Office and Vice President of the Chaves County Farm and Livestock Bureau
Current Employer:
Self employed in Roswell, NM
Job Position/Title:
Owner of Corn Ranch and Roswell Wool
Job Duties/Responsibilities:
4th Generation rancher, owner and operator of Corn Ranch which includes over 42,000 acres, over 750 Cows, and 800 sheep. I’m also owner of Roswell Wool, the largest wool marketing commission merchant/warehouse in the USA.
TCU RM Reflections:
This program has helped mold our family operation in many ways as we have had 13 family or family of family attend the program. Including my daughter Jessica, and my son, Bronson “BA”. Jessica went on and married her classmate, Craig Cowden.
Advice to Applicants/Students:
“It’s not what you know but who you know” that will make the biggest difference in your life. This program introduced me to many, many people that can help me answer or solve any question that I have needed advice on over the past 45 + years! I also roomed with my best friend, Gene “Primo” Walker Jr. while attending the class!
Prior Experience/Education:
I have been self employed since 1982.
Involvement in Organizations/Clubs:
Over the years I have been involved and served as President in our local Soil and Water Conservation District Farm Bureau, N.M. Hereford Assn, N.M. Wool Growers Assn, and most recently served as President of the American Sheep Industry,/ASI from 2017-2019.
Current Employer:
Cowden Land & Livestock; Canadian, TX
Job Position/Title:
Owner/General Manager
Job Duties/Responsibilities:
Business management, operations, financial analysis
TCU RM Reflections:
Ranch Management was an incredible experience. Although challenging at times, it helped prepare me in prioritizing and managing multiple issues that arise while owning and operating a cattle business. The field trips give practical, real world ideas and advice while also providing contacts you can reach out to for help.
Advice to Applicants/Students:
Manage your time and don’t be scared to ask for help or guidance.
Prior Experience/Education:
Texas A&M University (Bachelors in Ag-Business), TCU RM, Cowden Cross L Cattle Co., Peyton Ranches (Canadian, Tx), Cowden Land & Livestock
Involvement in Organizations/Clubs:
Hemphill Underground Water District Director, Canadian Methodist Church
Current Employer:
Self
Job Position/Title:
Co-Owner/Operator Cowden Land and Livestock; Canadian, TX
Job Duties/Responsibilities:
Bookkeeping
TCU RM Reflections:
Attending the TCU Ranch Management Program, was the best decision I could have ever made for myself. I needed a thorough education on managing and operating a ranch in order to keep it thriving for future generations, and I found just that. I also found my husband while I was there… he sat right next to me in class. I originally went to college to be a school teacher. That education failed to teach me any business skills, and I knew first hand that the TCU Ranch Management Program would prepare me with the skills I needed to be a successful ranch business owner.
Advice to Applicants/Students:
Don’t let the tuition amount scare you off from the highest quality education you can get in a year of schooling. I had approximately 3/4 of my tuition paid for by a wonderful scholarship. Try hard and hold yourself to a high standard and you’ll do well in this program. My husband Craig and I own and operate a cow/calf operation in the TX Panhandle. We raise black and red angus cattle. We recently took over the operations of, and are leasing Craig’s family ranch/farms. We hope to continue the legacy of ranching for our future generations. I am a 6th generation rancher and Craig is a 5th. We have our 3 children in on as much of the ranch work as possible. I am also co-owner in Legacy Land and Livestock with my family in NM. My brother, Bronson manages that cow-calf operation. Craig and I go to NM to help as often as possible. Mom, Dad, BA and my brother in law, Sterling, come to TX to help us with cattle work as well. Craig and I were able to take in some of our NM cattle for a couple of years during the drought. We just try to support each other in the good times and hold each other up in the tough times. That’s what family does. My dad, Mike, my brother, Bronson, myself and my husband, Craig are all alumni of the Ranch Management Program. The program has been a huge part of my life since the day I was born. I have so much respect for and admire what this program stands for.
Prior Experience/Education:
Bachelors in Education from NMSU, TCU Ranch Management Program
Previous Employment:
Chaves County Soil and Water Conservation District, Rabo AgriFinance, Pampa ISD, Capital Farm Credit
Involvement in Organizations/Clubs:
Canadian Methodist Church
Current Employer:
Vaquero Animal Health
Job Position/Title:
Veterinary Practice Owner
Job Duties/Responsibilities:
Equine lameness, sports medicine and dentistry, beef cattle consulting medicine and
herd health, mixed animal medicine.
Prior Experience/Education:
Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine: DVM, Tarleton State University: BS in Agricultural
Engineering, TCU RM program. JS Echols LLC: ranching, welding, wild-cow catching and
rock-n-roll band leader.
Involvement in Organizations/Clubs:
Competitive shooting sports
TCU RM Reflection:
TCU RM taught me a process for the analysis of a business and it’s resources, as well as the importance of networking, and what an incredible network we have access to as alumni. I’m very proud to be a member of the most influential fraternity in the beef industry.
Current Employer:
Ministry of Agriculture an Cattle Development Panamá
Job Position/Title:
Ministry of Agriculture an Cattle Development Vice Minister’s Technical Assistance
Job Duties/Responsibilities:
- Evaluate livestock projects presented to MIDA by producers and associations.
- Help and evaluate in social development projects related to the agricultural sector.
TCU RM Reflections:
- RM prepared me to evaluate break-even points and the financial reasoning of the projects loaned to the ministry, and evaluate the feasibility and analyze the economic development of the projects and how it is developed in the country.
- Advice to students: take advantage of the experience of visiting farms, operations, companies with real examples, on how to solve day-to-day situations; take advantage of the debates and talks that take place after each field trip; and take advantage of the experience of the teachers, TCU RM alumni, and contacts associated w/TCU RM.
Prior Experience/Education:
Coordinator of logistics and distribution of bags with food distributed by the government of Panama, in charge of inventory management, logistics of distribution of supplies, coordination of production and administrative personnel. Reception of approximately 25 containers daily with dry goods, storage, and distribution of merchandise. Coordination of daily production of 25,000 of bags to be distributed in the national territory of Panama.
Current Employer:
Harlow Cattle Co.
Job Position/Title:
Owner
Job Duties/Responsibilities:
We trade feeder cattle for stocker and cow calf operators that are mostly based in
Texas, Oklahoma, and the Southeast to feedyards based in the Texas panhandle, Kansas,
Colorado and Nebraska. We also graze stocker on wheat and grass. We own a feed-yard
called HHH Feeders in Kansas as well that specializes in all natural feeding.
Prior Experience/Education:
TCU
Involvement in Organizations/Clubs:
TSCRA board
TCU RM Reflection:
One of the best decisions I ever made. I felt like I learned more in 9 months about business and return on investment than I did in my previous 4 years of undergrad. The friendships, the network were (and are) so much fun and valuable. The program also directed me in business ethics and the importance of the Western Code
Current Employer:
Colorado Farm Bureau
Job Position/Title:
Vice President, Strategy and Advocacy
Job Duties/Responsibilities:
Work across departments to ensure the voice of Colorado agriculture is heard far and wide while representing the organization, it's members, and the industry.
TCU RM Reflection:
The thing about our industry that is required to be successful is to know a little bit about everything—production, finance, international trade, animal health, management, conservation, leadership, etc. TCU RM gives you a comprehensive background in most of those areas, and there’s not another program out there that is equal to us in what you gain. It’s been invaluable for my career.
Prior Experience/Education:
I have a BA from TCU in History and have worked for TSCRA, Lone Star Ag Credit, Texas Agricultural Land Trust, and Washington Cattlemen's Association prior to moving to Colorado
Other:
I can’t thank Jesse Womack and Mr. Geider enough for inviting me to be involved with TCU Institute of Ranch Management’s work in Scotland with the James Hutton Institute. The international perspective has been wholly enriching and importantly informative as a policy developer; I’m looking forward to the collaboration between our two constituencies.
Current Employer:
Lazy M Ranch Ltd.; Shepherd, TX
Job Position/Title:
Secretary of our family partnership, Bookkeeper, and yes, still a Ranch Hand
Job Duties/Responsibilities:
Record keeping, paying bills, consulting with cattle manager, who is also my son, as well as with other partners. I am still hands on working cattle and rotating the herds. My other job title is co-owner with my husband, of Landers Cattle Company which is a registered Red Angus ranch of of about 45 mother cows. We artificially inseminate all of our cows to produce the bulls for Lazy M’s commercial cows. The commercial herd consists of around 1050 to 1100 mother cows.
TCU RM Reflection:
I will never forget what Jake Schrum, one of our professors, always told us, “You have got to know where you are.” I believe if you apply yourself in the TCU RM program, you will know where you are or you will know how to get those answers.
I was very excited and felt quite prepared to get out and apply the knowledge I gained from the program. I did not go to our family ranch at first. I married a Hereford breeder and worked for a ranch in an area that is now Plano. In those days we showed cattle as a means of marketing them. The ranch dispersed after we achieved the goals laid out by the owner. My dad wanted us to come home and manage the ranch for him and we have been here since 1984.
Advice to Applicants/Students:
A word of advice to applicants/students, this course is very intense, but the rewards are great. You will be prepared to take on most any type of job in the industry. So set your goals and follow your dreams.
Prior Experience/Education:
Although I began my formal education at Texas A&M with a major in Agricultural Economics, I believe the TCU RM program put everything together for me. I believe I learned more in the 9 months I spent there, than my four years previously. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my time at TAMU. Some of my most valued experiences in the program were the opportunities to meet people in the industry and understand how their businesses work. I truly felt that this was a unique opportunity for us in this program because not just anyone has this available to them.
Involvement in Organizations/Clubs:
Initially, I was a member of the Hereford Association, the TSCRA, and the Independent Cattleman’s Association. I served on our local school board for 18 years and the Appraisal board. I am also a Lifetime Committeeman of the Houston Livestock Show. Currently, I am a member of the Red Angus Association, Texas Red Angus Association and past Treasurer and board member. I also hold a membership of R-Calf. These relationships are important. Meeting people from all over the state and nation is important to learning and sharing ideas about current events and new innovations in our industry.
Other: There is one last thing I would like to mention. Wherever you end up, be it a family ranch or any other business, remember that communication is key. Always keep those lines of communication open and clear. Your life and job will be much more enjoyable.
Current Employer:
Hoffmann Ranch LP; Wilson, OK
Job Position/Title:
Assistant Manager
Job Duties/Responsibilities:
A little bit of everything. Herd care and health, rotational grazing, marketing, ranch
improvements, etc.
TCU RM Reflections:
The RM program prepared me for this job first of all by providing me with an amazing
network of people and it gave me a good foundation of knowledge to keep building on
and questions to ask.
Advice to Applicants/Students:
You will get out of it what you put into it. You will make lifelong friendships. It’s
an experience you won’t regret.
Prior Experience/Education:
Associate degree from junior college. I worked on our family ranch and for local horse
trainers in high school and early college.
Involvement in Organizations/Clubs:
TSCRA, NCBA, TGLC
Current Employer:
Self; Post, TX
Job Position/Title:
Colt Starter/Horse Trainer
Job Duties/Responsibilities:
Starting and training ranch colts in the disciplines of reining, cutting, reined cowhorse, team roping, and ranch use. We trot these colts lots of long miles outside, setting a foundation for the rest of their lives. Our goal is to teach these horses to be confident and correct, able to go in any direction after they go through our program.
TCU RM Reflection:
TCU taught me the skills of running a business, accounting for every detail and how to use that information for success.
Prior Experience/Education:
I got my first colt breaking job for the Kokernot Ranch in Alpine, TX when I was 16. I’ve made a living for myself on the back of a horse ever since then. After graduating from TCU Ranch Management, I went into the colt starting business under the guidance of Jeff Williams. The year after graduating I started 247 2 year old colts with the help of my wife and many young men.