Volunteer Work In Texas

Volunteer work is not just about helping those less fortunate, it is also about keeping a community alive. This specific area of Texas is kept alive through agriculture. One specific branch of agriculture that is important to this area is cattle ranching. A group of ranchers of come together to form a group to help sustain ranching for small ranchers. Within this group I have come to learn the true meaning of hard work and helping your neighbor. My specific volunteer work taught me that it takes a “a village” to survive within the world today. The duties that were assigned to me happen over a long period of time and include: Hay bailing, round-up multiple times a year (horseback), castration, branding. spraying for skin bacteria/bug, vaccination,

Cattle production is essential to both the development and stabilization of Southeast, Texas. The only solution is for the younger generation to understand the importance of the survival of the cattle industry in order to maintain a way of life. Eight to ten ranchers have banded together and try and survive the flood of “big business”. I participated within this volunteer group over the past year. I was introduced to this group by my Grandpa who is a member. I have to say that these men work hard in order to survive and they “cut me no slack” in teaching me how to support my

I have to say that each rancher is specific in what they require and how their stock is divided. Due to the individual ideas within the volunteer group, I have learned a variety of important information. One is watch your toes. You never know when a cow is charging. You must stay away from workers that are as “wild” as the cattle. You must always be aware of your surroundings. Most important is to listen and do not get side tracked. The operation runs smoothly as long as everyone knows their job.

This volunteer program has taught me to respect every bite that you eat. Behind every meal is hours of labor intensive work and sweat. I have also learned that nothing in life is free that in order to survive within an agriculture community that every neighbor counts. Small community ranchers and farmers would never survive without community input and work. I plan on continuing my work within this group, because it has taught me what it takes to be a “true”