Mandy Krause, who was born and raised in McAllen, Texas, has always had a love for the land. Growing up on a multi-generational citrus farm in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, she enjoyed working in agriculture and being close to nature. From a young age, she knew she wanted a career that involved being in the great outdoors.

Mandy attended Texas A&M University (TAMU) and joined the Wildlife and Fisheries Department where she met her husband, Travis, who grew up on his family ranch in D’Hanis, Texas. They were both working to become biologists, participating in internships and research projects while completing academic coursework. After graduating from TAMU, Mandy worked as a biologist on a variety of research projects ranging from bat emergences and tree canopy studies on the island of Dominica, endangered songbird research in the Texas Hill Country, and a wolf trophic cascade project in Glacier National Park. She progressed from research to education, taking a position as the Education Coordinator for the Welder Wildlife Foundation. Connecting people of all ages with the natural world became her purpose and something she was eager to share. When conservation efforts seem futile, Many said she focused on “hope,” because  “an educated public cares about taking care of the land.”

While Mandy was working as an educator, Travis had moved back to the family ranch to take over operations. Together in 2010 the Krauses started their own business, Parker Creek Ranch.

“Having a strong support network, being willing to experiment and learn from our mistakes, and having a solid yet flexible management plan was critical as we developed our operation,” said Mandy. They set their goals to restore the family ranch land and make the business more sustainable, diversifying from only raising beef and exploring options to increase profitability while improving ecosystem function.

The business focused on direct-to-consumer marketing, and started with a variety of poultry, ranging from broilers and laying hens to turkeys, ducks, guineas, and quail. All the birds were pasture raised, protected by livestock guardian dogs, and their portable shelters were rotated frequently. The Krauses also built their own processing facility, since one did not exist in the area that could serve their needs. In addition to pasture-raised poultry, they continued raising beef cattle, adopting regenerative production techniques. From drought to finances, working within the limits of leased land, and building trust with consumers, the love for the land kept Mandy and Travis motivated.

The Krauses said building relationships with their customers, community, and working with the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Texas AgriLife helped them to accomplish measurable changes in the land – from increased soil moisture, ground cover, and species diversity, to having water in places that were previously dry.

“Building relationships with our customers, a community of farmers and ranchers, and working with organizations like NRCS and AgriLife [made the difference],” Mandy said. “We housed interns, developed teams and partners, and helped others start their own businesses. We are grateful for these experiences and the opportunity to have made an impact.”

As their business expanded and after the birth of their first son, Mandy’s education work transitioned into a part-time position for the Welder Wildlife Foundation where she led rangeland curriculum teacher trainings to K-5th grade teachers across the state. Her love for working with people translated to their own ranch, where she and Travis hosted field days, tours, on-farm research projects and youth programs. This allowed consumers to have a connection with the food they purchased.

Reflecting on where they started, Mandy says “be willing to take chances, prioritize things that brings you joy, and invest time in programs that expand your learning and growth.”

Parker Creek Ranch has been in operation for 13 years. The Krauses have scaled back production to beef cattle with flexible marketing that allows them to focus on conservation efforts such as land restoration. Mandy has also taken a new role as Associate Director of the Devils River Conservancy, furthering her conservation efforts on one of the most pristine rivers in Texas. Together with her husband, they are raising three boys to share their love of the land. Despite the challenges, Mandy is grateful for the opportunity to ranch, knowing that is where she wants to be.

When asked if she has set a goal for 2023, Mandy said, “Doing more of what feels good!”

Original source can be found here.