Richard and Peggy Sechrist
- Fredericksburg, Texas
It is fitting that Richard and Peggy met
at a Holistic Resource Management class that
Peggy was teaching in 1994, because the couple
credits holistic management as key to their
accomplishments. After they married, the
Sechrists went through a process of setting
three-part holistic goals for their ranch.
Now, every decision rests on a clear foundation.
The Sechrists established a management-intensive
grazing system for cattle on their dry Texas
ranch. They use all organic practices for
herd health and low-stress handling techniques.
A few years later, they added pastured poultry
and egg production to the ranch, after an
18-month stretch without measurable precipitation
took a toll on their grazing pastures.
To market their products, they created a
separate company—Homestead Healthy
Foods. They built a customer base through
mail-order sales, local phone orders, farmers
markets, booths at fairs and shows, and small
health food stores. Recently, they began
selling beef and chicken through the Internet
and natural foods distributors that reach
6 percent of the country.
Profitability
Asked whether their changes in production
practices and organic certification have
increased the profitability of their ranch,
Peggy responds positively. "Definitely," she
says,"our distributors understood 'organic'
and now understand 'grass-fed'" a distinction
that translates to higher returns.
Having their own outlets to reach the local
retail market consistently, taking advantage
of a booming wholesale market for their chickens,
and being able to distribute their beef through
health food distributors all contribute to
their financial success. They found other
ranchers who meet their production standards
from whom they can obtain beef if drought
affects their supply.
Environmental Strategies
The yearly average rainfall of 26 inches
can come in short bursts in between long
dry spells. The Sechrists work within the
dry cycles by maintaining their pastures
in native grasses. They graze three herds
of cattle—1 year olds, 2 year olds,
and a cow-calf herd—in a planned rotational
approach.
Rotating the herds is based on a fairly
sophisticated system of monitoring plant
growth and recovery. The cattle are grass-fed,
with alfalfa hay fed as needed as a supplement.
The cattle don't receive any antibiotics
or synthetic treatments.
"Our basic herd health is excellent," Peggy
says, adding that the local vet is amazed. "He
feels that our pasture management is the
most important factor."
Community, Outreach, Quality of Life
Despite their long hours, Richard and Peggy
share information with other ranchers at
workshops and conferences, and they serve
on leadership and advisory committees for
sustainable agricultural programs.
Their marketing approach has brought them
in closer touch with their community. At
their store and through direct sales, they
talk to people about nutrition and food system
issues.
"It's gratifying to hear our customers
express their appreciation," Peggy says. "We
want to build and serve a regional market,
because that is our vision of a sustainable
market."
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