Land, Legacy, and Learning: A Rancher's Perspective from Tucumcari with Cheryl Knight

"You're wired that way," Cheryl Knight explains about her deep-rooted connection to ranching, despite once vowing as a teenager never to marry a cowboy or return to ranch life. Life had other plans.

From the windswept mesas of Tucumcari, New Mexico, Cheryl shares the multi-generational story of her family's ranching legacy. What began with her father purchasing land from her grandfather has grown into a thriving operation where family members across generations work together caring for cattle and land. Though her sons have temporarily ventured to pursue other dreams—one working on a historic Arizona ranch and another training as a pilot—their cowboy skills and ranching roots remain strong, drawing them home for seasonal work.

For Cheryl, spring brings her greatest joy: witnessing newborn calves take their first steps across New Mexico grasslands. "This is where we see the fruits of our labor," she explains, "to see how Mother Nature takes care of itself, to see the cyclical part of what we do." This intimate connection with natural cycles represents the heart of the ranching experience few Americans ever witness firsthand.

The Knights approach land stewardship with scientific precision, monitoring forage health through clipping processes and strategically developing water infrastructure to maximize grazing potential while preserving ecological balance. This sophisticated resource management reflects the reality that caring for cattle and caring for land are inseparable pursuits.

Beyond producing delicious beef, Cheryl reveals the surprising reach of cattle byproducts throughout modern life—from life-saving insulin to airplane tarmac. "You would be hard-pressed to find things in your day-to-day life that did not come from a cow," she notes, highlighting beef's hidden contribution to countless industries.

Yet modern ranching faces persistent challenges beyond drought and natural disasters. Cheryl speaks candidly about the "wolves at the door"—regulatory pressures, land-use conflicts, and political challenges threatening traditional ranching. Staying engaged with industry organizations has become essential to preserving not just their own operation but America's ranching heritage.

Despite these obstacles, passion fuels the Knight family's commitment. "When you find what you love to do, you'll never work another day in your life," Cheryl reflects. Through her story, we glimpse the authentic human connection behind every package of beef in the grocery store—a story of family, stewardship, and unwavering dedication to feeding America.

Listen to discover how food connects us all, from pasture to plate, and learn why Cheryl believes education rather than confrontation offers the best path forward for bridging the gap between producers and consumers.