Natalie served in the USAF 137th Airlift Wing Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron 2001-2008.
While the desire to serve her country was a significant factor in her enlistment, her primary motivation was a commitment to self-improvement through education. Facing the reality that she would have to fund her own degree, she joined the military to avoid the burden of debt and to unlock opportunities that felt out of reach.
"The military’s rigorous training transformed me, awakening a level of confidence and resilience I hadn’t known in my youth. I emerged with a new mindset: the belief that I could achieve anything through discipline. Two core values — 'service before self' and 'perseverance' — became the foundation of my life and, eventually, my career in agriculture."
"The Farmer Veteran Coalition grant has significantly changed my operation. I purchased 30,24ft long continuous fencing segments that I will use to build cattle pens on our home farm. My husband is a 6th generation to live on this farm and there has never been permanent cattle pens built. These panels will be used to finally construct much needed hard pens for our cattle. As any rancher can attest to, it is vital to have sufficient pens in order to contain problem animals, isolate ones needing medical attention or when weaning calves. I am so grateful for the Farmer Veteran Coalition for offering this opportunity to veteran farmers."
Rowdy Red Ranch farms wheat and hay crops, 70 head of cow/calves, direct to consumer beef business each week at the Edmond Farmers Market.
Though Natalie grew up in the city dreaming of farm life, she pursued a degree in Animal Science on faith alone. Seven years after graduating, that dream materialized when she met her husband, a self-made farmer. His passion for crops complemented her love for cattle, and together they built their operation. In 2022, she left her 14 year education career to work on the farm full-time. She knew at that point she would need to diversify and bring in a new income stream so she created the direct to consumer beef business, which has shown incredible growth over the last few years.
"When in the military you are faced with unique and demanding challenges, which have some similarities when you work in agriculture. Agriculture demands an iron will; the hard days often outnumber the easy ones. Success requires a conscious choice to keep going when things get difficult. Ultimately, being a producer isn’t about profit or notoriety - it is about the quiet fulfillment of feeding others, whether they are family, neighbors, or strangers we will never meet. So in a way, I am still living by the core values instilled in me while in the service, one being service before self. Service to my animals, service to my community, and service to those I feed."
