By normal standards, the legacy of a family farm or ranch is often measured in acres, herd size, or years on the land. But for the women who occupy those operations, those metrics only scratch the surface. The real legacy is the values passed from one generation to the next, the sacrifices made to create opportunities, and the responsibility of leaving an operation stronger than it was found.

For Sarah Ripp and Jordan Cook, strong family influences and a commitment to stewardship helped create opportunities for the generations that follow. Their stories demonstrate that, while ranching traditions may evolve, the principles that sustain family operations remain consistent.

Carrying Forward a Maternal Legacy

Ranching is more than a livelihood to Sarah Ripp. It is a connection to generations of family history. In addition to operating a commercial cow-calf herd with her brother, Ripp also co-owns Lazy S Triangle Feed in Ravenna, NE, with her mother, Cindy. The feed store’s name comes from a cattle brand that originated with her maternal great-grandfather and was later carried by her grandfather. Because her grandfather had four daughters, there was no obvious successor to continue the brand until Ripp and her brother stepped forward. Today, they operate under the same fourth-generation cattle brand on the same land as their ancestors.

That maternal influence extends far beyond the brand itself. Ripp describes a family history built on hard work and perseverance. Her grandmother spent decades working in a factory before coming home to help on the ranch and raise a family. Her mother dedicated nearly 40 years to nursing while helping create opportunities for her children. Neither woman necessarily taught her how to tag calves or repair equipment, but both taught lessons that continue to shape her approach to ranching.

“My mom was always one of the hardest-working people I knew,” Ripp said. “She made a lot of sacrifices for our family so we could have something.” Those lessons created a mindset that serves her well today as both a business owner and ranch manager.

After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with an animal science degree, Ripp gained experience working in an agricultural cooperative office, where she learned accounting and business management skills that now help guide both the feed store and cattle operation. When the local feed store came up for sale in 2021, she and her mother seized the opportunity, purchasing the business and taking over operations in early 2022.

The transition was not without challenges. At 23 years old, she was replacing an owner who had spent decades serving the community. Yet Ripp embraced the challenge and has continued to build on an already strong customer base. On the cattle side, she and her brother continue to grow a Red Angus-based herd crossed with Hereford bulls, focusing on maternal traits, performance and long-term herd improvement.

Different Strengths, Shared Success

Like many family operations, Ripp and her brother lean on their individual strengths to make the operation successful. While he takes care of the mechanical needs, she handles recordkeeping and management.

“I am very good at bookwork,” she said. “I’m very organized. I know what it costs for us to raise a calf each year.” That attention to detail helps drive management decisions throughout the operation. From tracking production costs and vaccination expenses to monitoring cow performance, Ripp focuses on ensuring decisions generate returns and position the operation for long-term success.

Her experience highlights an increasingly important reality in modern ranching: effective management requires more than livestock expertise. Financial analysis, recordkeeping and strategic planning are every bit as important as cattle management.

Those business skills are also reflected in her approach to carrying on the family’s legacy. “I want to carry on the legacy and keep the family ranch going,” Ripp said. “But always keep in mind how hard some people had to sacrifice and work.” For her, honoring the past does not mean resisting change. It means respecting previous generations while making practical decisions that ensure the operation remains viable for future generations.

Creating a Place for the Next Generation

A few states south, Jordan Cook has spent much of her ranching career focused on a similar question: How can today’s decisions create opportunities for tomorrow?

Cook’s family ranching story began when her grandfather started acquiring land in western Oklahoma during the 1970s. Her father later transitioned from cotton production into registered Angus cattle, building what would become a successful seedstock operation.

Although deeply involved in cattle as a youth, Cook followed her father’s advice after college and spent several years working off the ranch. She managed a clothing store and later worked as a loan and compliance officer at a bank before returning to ranching full-time in 2014.

That outside experience proved invaluable. When she decided to start her own herd, she purchased 50 pairs during a severe drought and temporarily managed them in Arkansas until conditions improved at home. Today, that herd has grown to approximately 250 cows, while the larger family operation manages several hundred more.

One of the most significant factors in Cook’s success came from her grandmother. Recognizing how difficult it would be for a young producer to gain a foothold in agriculture, Cook’s grandparents transferred land directly to her rather than waiting for it to pass through another generation.

“They were like, ‘We’re going to give you some land so you can get started,'” Cook said. “That really, really helped.” That gift created opportunities not only for her current operation but also for future growth. It also shaped how she thinks about succession. “I would like my dad to kind of bypass me and give that to my boys and give them a better start,” Cook said. “The future is only going to provide more challenges for young ranchers.”

Leading with a Long-Term Vision

As Cook’s role has evolved, so has her perspective. Early in her career, management decisions were largely focused on immediate results like selecting the right cattle and generating income. Today, her focus has shifted toward long-term planning.

“What can we do, and what is this going to look like in 10 years if I do this?” she said. That long-range thinking has influenced major decisions across the operation. One example was relocating the family’s annual bull sale from a local livestock market back to the ranch. Using land purchased through Farm Service Agency programs and infrastructure investments made during the COVID-19 era, Cook helped spearhead the development of facilities that now allow customers to visit the operation when they attend the sale. The move strengthened customer relationships and improved the overall sale experience.

Cook also looks for technology that can help position the operation for future success, and is currently utilizing virtual fence collars to assist with grazing management. By improving her efficiency and stewardship efforts, she is able to maintain flexibility as both a rancher and mother.

Passing the Torch

Both women acknowledge that legacy is not simply about preserving land or maintaining cattle numbers. It is about preparing the next generation to take ownership.

For Cook, that means giving her sons opportunities to make decisions and learn from their successes and failures. Her oldest son is already managing a small piece of ground originally passed down from her grandmother. Even when drought creates challenges, she views those experiences as important lessons.

Ripp shares a similar philosophy. She hopes future generations understand that success is built through work, gratitude and personal responsibility. Lessons learned from paying for her own show feed in 4-H, and watching generations of family members work hard, continue to influence how she approaches life and business today.

For both women, legacy is not measured solely by what is inherited. It is measured by what is taught. Whether through a fourth-generation cattle brand in Nebraska or a growing Angus operation in Oklahoma, their stories demonstrate that strong female leadership continues to shape the future of the cattle industry. And while the land, cattle and businesses may one day pass to another generation, the values behind them already have.

• View our Archives