Texas Ranch Life

As a born and bred Texan, there are things that I love: Football, God, and beer. It’s in that order, too. Every now and then, I get someone from another state come out to see me because they want experience as a rancher. It’s something that I’ve offered through my company for years to help with the agricultural industry. However, there are a few things that I have to teach above and beyond the Texas ranch life to make sure that everyone “gets it.”

Texas Football

Chili is Life

One of the first things I do when I’ve got a guest from out of town is to take them down to the local diner for a bowl of chili. Then, I wait. Nine times out of 10, someone will mention that the chef forgot the beans. That’s when I have to laugh. Chili in Texas doesn’t have beans. It never has and it never will. If there’s a chili cook-off happening over the weekend, and there usually is, I bring them down to it. After all, there’s no better way to familiarize yourself with the Texas lifestyle than spending an afternoon at a chili cook-off.

There may be dozens of entries and not a single one is going to have beans. They just don’t belong in the chili here. When I’m out on my Texas ranch, people will often ask what agriculture I’m growing out on the fields. Beans aren’t one of them because I have no use for them. That’s for the northern people. When you’re from Minnesota, you’ll eat your chili with beans. But if you’re in Texas and you know what’s good for you and you stay away from them. If you want some cheese on top, though, by all means, load up with as much as you want. You should also make sure to have a beer alongside your bowl. And if you want to compete, a local ale added into the mix may just win you a first prize ribbon.

Beer Is Good

Road trips are a Necessity

I love to show people around Texas. The only problem is that it takes about 12 hours to drive from one side of the state to the other. I don’t know how many miles it is, but it’s about 12 hours. While some people would simply fly, that’s not how we do things around here. Instead, we turn it into a road trip. The best road trip happens in my RV.

There’s no better way for a rancher to get familiar with this great state than by jumping into my RV for a week where we can take a tour of a bunch of farms and ranches. I have friends from San Antonio to Austin. They know when I’ve got a guest because I’m calling them up to prepare them for a tour. I like to make sure that people get a chance to see multiple operations. While I have my way of doing things, it’s not the only way.

While we’re out on the open road, it’s also a great opportunity to catch a college football game and make a few stops to the local breweries. There’s no greater way to experience Texas than to go to a football game because we do it better than anyone else. Our fans are fierce, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

One thing I like to point out on the road trip is that not all ranchers will use a steel building. There’s something, for me, about having a Texas metal building on my property. They’re sturdier and more customizable than many of the barns that are around. When it rains or there’s a lot of wind, my barn will still stand while others are going to leak or blow right over.

It’s almost inevitable, too. By the time we are done with the road trip, my guest wants two things: an RV and a pole barn.

God is Great

Hospitality is Natural

Yes, ma’am. Thank you, sir. Please and thank you, kindly. My guests give a chuckle when they hear me say things like that. It’s not cliché. I don’t do it as an act to make it sound like I’m more southern than I am. It’s a part of being a Texan. Hospitality courses through my blood because it’s been ingrained since birth. We have respect for our elders around here, and it’s not something I’m going to apologize for.

I find that some of the farmers from up north don’t use the same level of politeness. They also don’t get the same level of service that I do throughout the state. Whether we go down to the feed store for the cattle or the local barbecue for some brisket, it’s all about manners. They learn to say “please” and “thank you” before they fly back home, though. It’s the best way to tap into that Texan hospitality you’ve heard so much about.

People Are Crazy

Pole Barns are Vital

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love my pole barns. There’s nothing quite like a Texas metal building, made out of steel, to keep my ranch running right. It’s a gorgeous work of art. It provides a reliable cover for everything inside, and it’s easier to maintain than the rickety barns seen on some of the older ranches.

People are crazy. There are some ranchers who are out repairing their barn every single weekend. I don’t know why they would keep wasting time and money when they could just call up Sherman Pole Buildings to talk about a custom barn. It’s the more cost-effective solution, but it’s hard to talk sense into people who spend their winters wearing hoodies and shorts.

I’ve been successful because I’m a God-fearing man. I also love my state and know the ranching business through and through. If people want to be as successful as I am, they can shadow me for a week. I promise them a good time, a proper education in the ranching industry, as well as an introduction into the world of Sherman Pole Buildings. But I have to warn you, people can be crazy around here.