Enhancing grassland ecosystems while sustaining private, profitable ranching
Reed McFadden
Tim Vinton Ranch
Reed McFadden, a student at Concordia University who is studying Business Administration with a concentration in Agribusiness and a minor in Agricultural Science, will be spending his summer as an intern at the Tim Vinton Ranch near Whitman.
Reed grew up on a small ranch west of Purdum, Nebraska, where he spent his weekends and summers dedicated to working alongside his father in a custom fencing business, learning hands-on skills and the value of hard work. His parents played a significant role in shaping his interest in agriculture, instilling both a strong work ethic and a genuine love for the industry. Reed sees this internship as a valuable opportunity to gain perspective, acquire new skills, and learn from someone outside of his family circle.
Reed is particularly excited about the prospect of learning more about horse training during his internship. He is eager to observe different management styles, apply his existing knowledge, and develop new skills in the process.
To start his mornings, Reed enjoys a good cup of coffee (or two) after getting ready for the day and believes that seeing different ways of doing things is one of the best parts of ranch life. When asked which ranch skill he would like to learn instantly, he gave a straightforward answer: “How to fix any vehicle.”
Looking ahead, Reed aims to pursue a career in agriculture and is focused on building a future in the field while eventually returning home to ranch with his family.
Updates
What has been most rewarding?
Connecting with my mentor and their family. Honing my skills and learning new skills. I’ve gotten to ride different horses, each one is a little different, and my horsemanship has gotten better.
What have you grown to appreciate about the Sandhills?
I really like the view from the top of the big hills. In my neck of the woods, it’s a little flatter. I like that it's really nice and quiet.
Future plans:
Reed plans to return home and work on his family's ranch while he decides on his next career move. He is interested in pursuing a career in the farming and ranching industry while continuing to be involved in his family's operations.
