Farm tour, approximately 60,000 acres of King Ranch areunder cultivation. Grain sorghum (milo)and cotton are the major crops grown in South Texas. King Ranch maintains its own cotton gin andgrain storage facilities. During the Civil War, Captain Richard Kingbought, sold and exported cotton by the thousands of bales to European marketsvia the Rio Grande and Mexico. In the early 20th century, King Ranch pioneeredcotton cultivation and processing in South Texas, and today it is one of thelargest cotton producers in the United States. King Ranch also gins its owncotton at its modern, state-of-the-art ginning facility on the LaurelesDivision of the ranch. We have asked that the primary focus be on the cotton operation and that there be someonethere to answer questions as in December there will most likely not be anycotton operations

We will be given the historical tour that begins at thehistoric Santa Gertrudis Creek where Captain King first camped in 1852. Nearby modern brush cleaning equipment andland going leviathans conceived and developed on King Ranch to clear mesquiteand huisache from the pastures has found a permanent parking place. Continuing your trip, your guide will explainthe history and the modern day workings of the Ranch. Note the Calera Pens where at roundup timethe cattle are vaccinated, branded, and tagged. Keen eyes will spot wildlife along the way. Watch for the auction arena, the horsecementery, and the Colony – home of the Kinenos or King’s Men. Historic buildings you will pass include Mrs.King’s carriage house, the Commissary with its lookout tower, and the grandhome built in 1912 by Captain King’s widow, Henrietta.

Ring the cook’s dinner bell and experience a barbeque at anhistoric King Ranch cowboy camphouse. Lunch will include beef brisket and smoked sausage prepared over amesquite wood fire, potato salad or coleslaw, campbeans, relishes andbeverage.

(See below to Sign Up for the Tour, this is a Texas Young Farmer Sponsored Event.)