#95 - Sisters, Mothers, Ranchers: How Three Women Are Building a Legacy at Giles Ranch Beef
“And it's very important that you're thinking about what's best for the whole family and the whole ranch. Instead of just what's best for you or your individual family.”
When I sat down with Jenny, Katie, and Molly, I knew I was in for a special conversation. These three sisters aren't just running a successful cattle operation - they're raising their families together, growing a thriving direct-to-consumer beef business, and showing what's possible when family values meet innovation.
Making Room for the Next Generation
The sisters' story starts with smart planning from their parents and grandparents. When they each finished college, there was a clear path for them to return home: work on the ranch for three years, then have the opportunity to start buying in.
"We are very blessed that our parents and grandparents made room for us and we had the opportunity to come back if we wanted to," Jenny shared. While she admits that no transition plan is ever perfect, their family's approach worked because everyone understood that not everything would be completely equal - but it could still be fair.
Reimagining Ranch Life for Working Moms
The ranch looks different today than it did 30 years ago. With three working moms running things alongside their husbands, flexibility has become key. They've shifted from mainly running stocker cattle to a 70% cow-calf operation, which allows them to better balance ranch work with their children's schedules.
"Our ranch doesn't operate like it did when it was all men here," Jenny explained. "It's now at least half working moms. That's a different mindset and different sets of things you have to get done in a day."
What makes it work? The sisters credit their tight-knit relationship and willingness to help each other out. Whether it's picking up a sick kid from school or helping with laundry during a tough week, they've created a support system that lets them succeed both as ranchers and mothers.
Growing Beyond the Ranch Gates
In 2012, the sisters spotted an opportunity to diversify their operation through direct-to-consumer beef sales. What started with a memorable (and somewhat chaotic) delivery to Houston has grown into two retail locations - The Meeting Place in Ashland and Dodge City - plus nationwide shipping.
The expansion wasn't just about business growth. "We know not every kid's going to want to come back," Katie noted, "but if even half of our kids want to come back, we've got to have other income sources to help make that possible."
Building on Strong Foundations
Through all their growth and changes, the sisters keep coming back to the values their parents instilled:
Take care of the land and it'll take care of you
Think about what's best for the whole family and ranch, not just yourself
Faith comes first
It's okay to slow down sometimes
Looking Forward
Today, Jenny handles the business office and store operations, Katie focuses on genetics and finishing cattle, and Molly oversees daily ranch operations with her husband. They're already thinking about the next generation - watching their nine children learn to work cattle and develop their own love for ranch life.
The drought has been tough, but they're staying focused on improving their herd genetics and maintaining the land. Through their retail stores, they're also working to bridge the gap between producers and consumers.
"If you explain to people what you're doing and why you're doing it, most people understand," Jenny said. "They just want to know where their food comes from versus buying something generic in the grocery store."
Want to try Giles Ranch Beef or connect with the Giles Sisters? Visit The Meating Place website, or check them out on Facebook and Instagram.
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About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright:
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture.
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