Anna Payne

Box T Ranch

Anna Payne, from Canton, Georgia, is currently attending Auburn University, where she is pursuing degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Agribusiness. This summer, she will be spending her time at the Box T Ranch near Thedford.

Although Anna did not grow up in a traditional production agriculture setting, her journey has been influenced by the people and experiences around her. She has spent over a decade riding hunter/jumper horses competitively, which has instilled discipline and a strong work ethic both inside and outside the arena. Summers spent in Grant, Nebraska, with her grandparents—who operated a custom harvesting business—left a lasting impression on her.

Anna credits her papa as her greatest influence. He instilled in her a love for horses and served as her biggest cheerleader and mentor, both in and out of the show ring. As a teacher in agricultural education and the owner of a custom harvesting operation, he taught her the values of loyalty, community, and hard work.

Anna applied for the Sandhills Ranch Internship Program because she wanted to break into the ranch world. "The educational opportunities provided by the program are absolutely incredible," she says. She is eager to build a community among the participants, expand her network and friendships, and gain new skills.

Anna is particularly excited about the chance to work cattle on horseback, where she will learn the responsibilities associated with working cattle in a traditional ranch setting. She looks forward to riding alongside experienced mentors, gaining confidence, and absorbing as much knowledge as possible. She is also excited about experiencing the wide-open Nebraska Sandhills and their unforgettable sunsets firsthand.

In addition to her passion for ranch life, Anna enjoys welding, cooking, and baking for others. In her free time, she plays both the banjo and the harmonica. Whether she’s in the shop, the kitchen, or on horseback, she values the connections that come from shared efforts and experiences.

Looking ahead, Anna hopes to build a career designing and manufacturing agricultural equipment that is functional and adaptable for producers across diverse operations. She also dreams of running her own small cow-calf operation, focused on maintaining quality across generations and practicing traditional horsemanship.

This summer, Anna is eager to embrace ranch life, ready to grow, contribute, and make the most of every opportunity the ranch has to offer.