When I traded my corporate life in New York for our family ranch in East Texas, I made a commitment to transform agriculture from the ground up. As one of the few female Black ranchers in America, I knew our operation had to do more than produce quality beef– we needed to open doors for future generations of diverse agricultural leaders. Today, as a Black-owned ranch blending traditional farming with modern business practices, we're actively working to strengthen equity in agriculture through educational partnerships nationwide.
Cultivating Innovation at Prairie View A&M
At Prairie View A&M University, one of Texas's most historic and influential institutions, students are immersing themselves in courses that offer real-world agricultural experience, from Forage and Pasture Management to Animal Nutrition. As the state's second-oldest public university and a historically Black land-grant institution, PVAMU has been a cornerstone of agricultural education since 1876. This rich heritage makes it the perfect setting for our newest initiative: this fall, I'm planning on collaborating with Dr. Lea Ann Kinman, celebrated scientist and Director of PVAMU’s Meat Lab, to launch an innovative Grilling 101 curriculum.
The course will dive deep into food science, grilling techniques, and industry best practices, giving students hands-on experience in the art and science of grilling. Thanks to the generous support of Pit Boss, who donated two grills to the program, students will have access to professional-grade equipment for their hands-on learning. One of the ideas behind this initiative is to bring practical, real-world knowledge to the next generation. Each lesson combines technical expertise with hands-on experience, preparing students for success in various food science and culinary careers. By partnering with PVAMU, we're proud to be building on a nearly 150-year tradition of agricultural education and Black excellence in Texas.
Nourishing Athletic Excellence
The classroom only tells part of the story. I’m proud to announce that Ratcliff Premium Meats is now the official protein sponsor of PVAMU’s athletic department. Working alongside Chef Chris Carter, a distinguished sports performance chef with extensive experience serving professional athletes and NFL pre-draft training camps, we’re developing specialized protein boxes for PVAMU athletes, set to launch in Summer 2025.
Chris Carter brings half a decade of expertise in crafting customized meal plans that optimize athletic performance. His collaboration with our team will ensure that PVMU athletes receive the precise nutrition they need to excel–both on and off the field. While our ultimate vision includes building a comprehensive protein center, we’re starting by ensuring
PVAMU's Athletic Director Anton Goff immediately saw the potential in our vision. His enthusiasm confirmed something we've long believed: exceptional performance starts with excellent nutrition.
Expanding Our Impact Across HBCU Agriculture Programs
With our mission’s momentum continuing to grow, we're thrilled to have been invited to host events at Tuskegee University's Agriculture Department for their Homecoming 2025 celebrations, where we’ll be sharing our knowledge and resources with even more future agricultural leaders.
I’ve also been recently appointed to an advisory board at Kentucky State University's College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources. Kentucky State currently offers four comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Agriculture tracks: Agricultural Systems, Nutritional Science and Food Systems, Environmental Systems, and Aquaculture Systems. Our board's mission is to further expand these degree programs and enhance the university's research capabilities, ensuring that HBCU students have access to cutting-edge agricultural education and research opportunities.
Looking Forward
As a Black-owned business in agriculture, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities facing the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Our partnerships with HBCUs aim to support education while also creating pathways for success and opportunities for diverse voices to shape the future of agriculture.
Through these initiatives, we're working to build a more inclusive and equitable agricultural industry, one student at a time. Whether it's through curriculum development, nutritional support for athletes, or evolving research programs, we're committed to nurturing the seeds of change in agricultural education.
