The George Ranch Receives $16,595 Gift from Fort Bend Junior Service League for Educational Programs


The 200-year-old George Ranch has been awarded a significant gift from the Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) to assist with underwriting a portion of one of their most popular programs:  cowboy and agriculture education.

Over 25,000 students visit The George Ranch each year to participate in unique programs dedicated to Texas history.  The only historic education site in Texas that offers students exposure to cowboys on horseback working with longhorn cattle, The Ranch’s distinctive program gives students the opportunity to witness the cowboys as they run cattle through a dipping vat, perform roping demonstrations and work with a trained cow dog.

“Our cowboys are one of the most popular and unique attractions at The George Ranch,” said Adrienne Barker, Executive Director.  “The FBJSL’s generous gift of over $16,000 will underwrite the cost of our cowboy’s TEKS aligned demonstrations to field trip students this spring, as well as allow us to expand our animal program with some exciting new additions to The Ranch.”

New to The Ranch’s roster are baby chicks and Shetland sheep.  The addition of the chicks will add an education rotation for students to employ candling techniques, see baby chicks in the incubator and explore their life cycle fully.

Sheep lived on The Ranch in the early 1900s, and with a portion of this gift, six sheep have now made The Ranch home.  Shetland sheep are smaller in size, and their wool is pulled off instead of sheered.  Students will be able to participate in removing the wool for it to be used in wool spinning activities during classes at the 1830s cabin on The Ranch. The sheep will also be halter trained and available for petting.

“The FBJSL has helped The Ranch continue our long-standing history of student education, and we appreciate their support,” said Barker.

The George Ranch is located at 10215 FM 762, Richmond, TX 77469 and is open to the public Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm.  For more information about The George Ranch, visit www.georgeranch.org or call 281.343.0218.

The Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) gifted $16,595 to The George Ranch to support one of their most popular programs: cowboy and agriculture education. Participating in the check presentation are:
 
FRONT ROW: FBJSL Beneficiary Review Committee Chair Alexis Giessler, The George Ranch’s Adrienne Barker and Susan Soliz and FBJSL Beneficiary Review Committee Chair Jennifer Semeyn.
 
BACK ROW:
Sugar Plum Market (SPM) Co-Chairs Michelle Monterroso and Candace Amini, FBJSL Sustainer President Terri Stuart, SPM Co-Chair Amy Cassidy, SPM Liaison Monica Hasty, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Malisha Patel, FBJSL President Kelsea Weatherford, SPM Co-Chairs Holly Barker and Jacquetta Madgett, FBJSL Beneficiary Review Committee Member Vandolyn Esparza and FBJSL Past President Jessica Gregory.