Ranching and beef production have been a part of the fabric of Florida for more than 400 years. The first documented cattle to the state was in mid 1500’s, by the 1600’s there were 34 ranches in Florida and 20,000 head of cattle. Today there are more than 1.5 million head of cattle throughout Florida.
Local Sarasota and Manatee cattlemen began meeting in the mid-1930’s to discuss the challenges of the industry and share stories. Several years later the Sarasota cattlemen and horseman decided to form their own association and split off from Manatee.
The Sarasota County Cattlemen’s Association was formally established on November 26, 1946 during a meeting at the Hi-Hat Ranch. Initial officers were Herman Turner as President, Milton Thomas as Vice-President, C.H. Downs, Sr. Secretary-Treasurer. The first board members included Cecil Bryan, L.H. (Buck) Hawkins, Tracy Calhoun, and Jim Springer. Through exponential growth and change, the Sarasota County Cattlemen’s Association has remained actively engaged not only in the beef industry but in the greater Sarasota community.
From 1946 to the present, Sarasota has grown from a relatively quiet post-war town into a dynamic metropolitan hub, fueled by migration, tourism, and real estate development. Post-war prosperity triggered a building boom that saw the rise of numerous subdivisions, a cultural expansion, and significant urban development. Modern cattle producers navigate the complexities of producing cattle in a thriving urban county.
Today’s Sarasota County Cattlemen’s Association members are not only multi-generational family heritage ranchers, but also include small first generation cattle producers, industry business partners, land stewards, financial and legal experts, first responders, community supporters, food safety and nutrition professionals, academic educators, and those who advocate for the continuation of an agricultural way of life. All of our members remain committed to our mission of promoting and protecting the growth and long-term viability of Sarasota County cattle producers, developing the next generation of agricultural leaders, and encouraging the responsible stewardship of agricultural working lands.
Sarasota County Cattlemen's Association 