TLC Ranch
Pecans, bison, and a whole lotta TLC.
TLC Ranch
Pecans, bison, and a whole lotta TLC.
Origin Story & Identity
How did you get into farming & ranching, and what’s the story behind TLC Ranch?
Although the incredible land we call TLC Ranch was purchased in 1997, our family has been fighting for a better way long before that.
In the 1980’s, by God’s grace and provision, our matriarch stumbled across a book about Food Allergies and the immune system. This was a time when no one was talking about inflammation, your gut microbiome, or how environmental toxins and food could impact so much of your well-being. Through this book, Cindy traced her chronic illness back to food and was able to repair her gut and health and even become pregnant after years of infertility.
Tread and Cindy then had two daughters who have since married and had children.
Our crew of 12 makes up the TLC Ranch Family.
As business owners in the DFW area (Hey Argyle!), Tread and Cindy primarily purchased our land in Oklahoma as a hunting lease. It wasn’t until 10+ years later that, Inspired by the native pecan trees on the property, our family’s first major income producing project was planting 400 new pecan trees.
With help from friends, family, and a lot of determination, that number has grown to more than 2,000 trees today. Every planting season reflects the same values that built this farm from the beginning — faith, family, and stewardship of the land.
As of 2024, our pecans are proudly certified organic, grown using regenerative and biologically diverse practices that restore and enrich the soil rather than deplete it.
While pecans are a big part of our story, bison have always been part of our dream. For years, the idea of bringing these powerful, native animals back to the land felt distant — a “someday” goal.
But through patience, persistence, and a lot of prayer, that dream became a reality. Today, seeing bison roam our pastures, and even our pecan orchards, serves as a daily reminder that the best things in life take time, care, and faith.
Pecans are certified organicDo you have any certifications or special licensing?
Do you have a fun fact, tradition, or personality quirk that makes your ranch uniquely “you”?
Our name, TLC Ranch, stands for Tread Loves Cindy and our land is in Love County, Oklahoma.
We have recently started grazing our bison IN the pecan orchard!
We often strive to EAT NATIVE. Not just local, but what food groups are actually NATIVE to North America.
Pecans are the only major tree nut native to north America. They have not been found growing naturally anywhere else in the world!
Did you know that BEEF is NOT native to North America? That blew my mind.
Oh, I just came back to this because I remembered the native vs. Grafted conversation about pecans.
What do you produce and raise?
Pecans, Bison, and Honey.
What are you most proud of producing or raising?
I’d say I’m not most proud of a WHAT, but I’m most proud of HOW. There have been many opportunities for shortcuts along the way but we continue to choose the road less traveled to better benefit our land and end customer.
Philosophy & Practices
How would you describe your growing or land-stewardship philosophy in your own words?
A steward is broadly defined as a person who manages, administers, or protects something on behalf of another. First and foremost, we believe this land is a gift from God, and we have a responsibility to honor Him in how we care for that gift. We strive to protect this land on behalf of future generations, administering what requires intervention and managing what does not. Through thoughtful stewardship, we seek to preserve and improve the health of the land so it can continue to thrive for years to come.
How does this reflect in your practices?
Or pecans are certified organic so we do not spray with any form of glyphosate or other harmful chemicals to increase yields or protect from conditions in the south. We’ve smelled like garlic for a week straight because we spent hours putting garlic clips at the base of trees to deter deer from eating the leaves. We have spent back breaking seasons hand picking weeds near young trees, and we’ve learned how to better fertilize naturally or even how to leave a strip of tall grass in between all our rows of trees so grasshoppers still have something to eat other than our leaves.
We rotationally graze our bison to always keep them on fresh grass and primarily to keep them away from their own feces. All livestock deworm and eliminate parasites via their feces and if they’re kept in a smaller location, even if they’re “grass fed” they may be eating grass that they continually poop in which continues the cycle. When you move them away from that, the sun’s UV rays will kill all of the harmful bacteria.
We also keep our bison’s water fresh with the addition of fish that clean their water and apple cider vinegar in certain seasons.
What’s the biggest challenge of what you do?
Honestly, selling our product. We spend so much time growing and caring for it, and then we forget we have to sell them in order to continue stewarding the land.
Daily Life & Personal Connection to the Work
What’s your favorite part of the work you do every day?
Doing it with family.
What’s your favorite way to enjoy something you grow/raise?
We never get tired of seeing the Bison roam or run. Especially at sunset.
I would normally share our favorite recipe is homemade granola but I know you already have a granola person!
Bonus that pecans can be such a great sweet treat OR a healthy snack. Very versatile nut.
What are you excited to grow, offer, or dream up for the future of your ranch?
More farm tours and events! Would love to do a fall pumpkin harvest and Bison love pumpkins so we could give them the rest.
We truly believe this place is such a gift and we want to share it
We’d love to continue to educate people about how there is a better way without any fear mongering
Tread dreams of the opportunity to promote more youth hunting
Slideshow
