On our 500-acre working farm, students raise longhorn cattle, beef cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, llamas, and rabbits.  The Farm even has a small herd of bison!

Molly will be a senior this year at NCTA, and she says that the agriculture program is her favorite part of every day:

I love waking up in the morning and going down to the barn. I help feed the cattle and check on the sheep and goats. Sometimes a new baby will have just been born! They’re so adorable, and I can just wrap it up and hold it tight. I promise, you can see it smiling!

Many students like Molly are heavily involved in FFA show programs. They will raise, train, and show farm animals at livestock shows all across Texas. And year after year, our students win thousands of dollars in scholarships!

The Farm maintains 45 head of cattle, including 14 calves born just this spring! Meet Tanto, Julio, and Cowgirl. Each little one will be raised and trained by students who will apply production agriculture management techniques such as vaccinating, branding, ear tagging, and much more.

Best of all, we welcomed two adorable bison calves earlier this summer, bringing our herd to 11. The kids will be involved in a naming contest this fall.

Molly can’t wait! And she credits the agricultural program with helping her grow personally:

“I’ve learned responsibility, integrity, and leadership. I’ve learned to trust myself and to trust others. And I’ve learned that if you really put effort into something and give it your all, then you’ll see results.”