Lori Hessel, of Colorado County, tugged her denim jacket tighter against the crisp morning air. She and her husband, David, worked in tandem to unroll a hay bale for their small cattle herd. Cows and heifers eagerly moved toward their breakfast, but Lori’s gaze lingered on a days-old calf struggling to keep pace with its mother.
She knew even colder weather was just around the corner.
“There could be some cold mornings and sleepless nights ahead,” she said, her eyes still on the calf. “If you’ve ever lost an animal, you understand. It’s not just about the financial loss – it’s about responsibility. These animals are in our care, and we want to do everything we can to protect them. The last thing you want to be asking yourself is ‘what could I have done to prevent that loss?’”
Learning the land, one lesson at a time
Lori and David Hessel weren’t always ranchers.
In 2000, they were professionals living in Houston with zero experience in cattle or land management. Lori grew up on a rural farm, where raising cattle and chickens and producing produce from the garden put food on the table. Reconnecting with that past was a dream they shared for their post-career lives.
When they purchased their ranch near Weimar, they had a vision – cattle, restoring native grasses, and managing their land sustainably. But they had no idea where to start.
That’s when they discovered the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
“We relied on AgriLife Extension to guide us,” she explained. “We have really availed ourselves to all the different resources they offer.”
From overgrazed fields to thriving pastures
The ranch wasn’t in great shape when they bought it. Overgrazed fields, depleted soils and invasive weeds painted a daunting picture. However, determined to restore and steward their land, the Hessels turned to AgriLife Extension and other conservation programs within Texas for help.
The duo immersed themselves in workshops, field days and hands-on training. They even participated in the Texas Master Naturalist and Texas Master Gardener programs across Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Lee and Washington counties.
“We’re always amazed at the wealth of knowledge we have access to through AgriLife Extension, and they are always eager to share it.”
Lori Hessel
Co-owner of 3H Ranch
They also attended various educational events like the annual South Central Texas Cow-Calf Clinic in Washington County, where they soaked up knowledge from AgriLife Extension experts about cattle management, pasture health and ranch economics.
Additionally, AgriLife Extension agents in Colorado County became a reliable “how-to” resource for topics that ran the breadth of their long-term plan. The agriculture and natural resources agents they leaned on offered crucial support like on-site assessments. They made time for conversations with the Hessels about ranching subjects like grazing, native grass reclamation, water quality and availability and stocking rates.
“We’ve taken a strategic approach to bring the land back to life,” she said. “We’ve relied on AgriLife Extension agents to help us create a plan specific to our goals and to help keep us on track.”
A partnership in sustainability
Through strategic planning and friendly expert guidance, the Hessels ultimately transformed their ranch. Their science-backed approach to pasture restoration, grazing management and natural resource stewardship resulted in steady, measurable improvements.
However, their journey with AgriLife Extension didn’t stop after those first few years – it became a lifelong partnership.
They’ve recently joined a broader forage cover crop project with Texas A&M AgriLife Research. While scientists work to understand nitrogen-fixing forages on their land better, the Hessels learn real-time strategies to improve their productivity.
AgriLife experts, just a call away
Twenty years in, the Hessels still turn to AgriLife Extension for guidance. Whether they’re seeking advice on water well maintenance or learning about wildlife habitat improvements for white-tailed deer, they know the answers are always within reach.
“We’re always amazed at the wealth of knowledge we have access to through AgriLife Extension,” she said. “And they are always eager to share it, and very good about directing us to the right expert on other questions that they may not be able to answer in that moment. Those agents understand the sources and resources available, so I think the key is simply just reach out to ask how they can help.”
For the Hessels, ranching is about more than just raising cattle – it’s about land stewardship and a commitment to continuous learning. With that focus in mind and some thanks to the many AgriLife Extension specialists and agents they’ve met along the way, they’ve built more than a working ranch, they’ve turned a dream into reality.
