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One day to make an impact that lasts On Monday, August 17, Winding Branch Ranch is celebrating National Nonprofit Day with a simple goal: raise $2,400 in 24 hours to help care continue. But this campaign is about more than what we can raise in one day. We are also working to grow the community of monthly supporters who help make rescue, rehabilitation and daily care possible throughout the year. For National Nonprofit Day only, animal sponsorships will be reduced from $34 to

What is Clear the Shelters? Clear the Shelters is a nationwide adoption campaign organized by NBCUniversal Local to help shelters and rescues connect more animals with new homes. Winding Branch Ranch is participating by waiving adoption fees for approved adopters from August 15 through August 31. We currently have pigs, goats, chickens and other farm animals waiting for safe, appropriate homes. Meet the animals looking for homes Every animal available for adoption has differe

Hot weather can quickly become dangerous for backyard chickens. Because chickens cannot sweat, they rely on panting, spreading their wings and finding cooler areas to regulate their body temperature. Heat stress can begin as temperatures approach 85°F, especially when humidity is high or airflow is limited. At Winding Branch Ranch, keeping the animals who call the sanctuary home safe during extreme weather is an important part of daily care. Here are seven practical ways to k

Learning comes alive when students step outside the classroom. At Winding Branch Ranch in Bulverde, our educational farm field trips near San Antonio give students hands-on opportunities to explore agriculture, conservation and responsible animal care. Each experience is designed to support classroom learning while inspiring curiosity, compassion and a deeper connection to the natural world. Agriculture Comes to Life Students learn where food comes from and how farmers care f

RESCUE | REVIVE | REHOME Every month, people from all over the San Antonio area come together at Winding Branch Ranch, a farm animal sanctuary just outside the city in Bulverde, Texas, with one goal in mind: making a difference. Whether you're a first-time visitor, a family looking to give back, a student earning service hours, or someone searching for a farm near me to volunteer at, Volunteer Day is a chance to become part of something bigger than yourself. No special experi

Rescue is the headline. But it is only the first page of the story. At Winding Branch Ranch, a farm animal sanctuary in Bulverde, Texas, rescue is where the work begins, not where it ends. Since opening in 2023, our team has rescued more than 300 farm animals and rehomed over 200 of them. Here is exactly what happens after an animal arrives at the sanctuary, and how you can be part of that story. Step 1: Immediate Care and Safety When a farm animal arrives, the first priority

Two weeks ago, we gathered with friends, supporters, volunteers, board members and community partners to celebrate three years of Winding Branch Ranch. It was a night to celebrate the sanctuary, but even more importantly, it was a night to celebrate the community that made it possible. Three years ago, Winding Branch Ranch began with a simple belief: agriculture could be used to bring people together, strengthen communities and create a better future for both people and anima

Looking for a summer camp in Bulverde that gets kids outside, teaches real skills and connects them to where food comes from? Culinary Camp: Farm to Fork at Winding Branch Ranch gives kids ages 9–15 the chance to harvest fresh ingredients, prepare simple farm-fresh recipes and experience life on a working farm and sanctuary just north of San Antonio. Our July 13–17 camp week is already sold out, and limited spaces remain for July 6–10. A Farm Camp Near San Antonio With Real H

Today marks three years of Winding Branch Ranch. Three years of muddy boots, open gates, early mornings, late nights, full hearts and more hay than we ever thought possible. When Winding Branch Ranch first opened, we knew we wanted to create a place where animals were safe, people felt welcome and the community could reconnect with agriculture in a real and meaningful way. What we could not have fully imagined was how deeply this place would grow into something much bigger th

Screwworm is a serious animal health threat that every livestock owner, pet owner and animal caretaker should understand. New World screwworm is caused by the larvae of a fly. These larvae can enter open wounds and feed on living tissue, making even small cuts, scrapes or irritated areas dangerous if they are not treated quickly. Screwworm can affect cattle, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, pigs, dogs, cats, wildlife and birds. The biggest risk is any animal with an open wound,

Discover simple, hands-on pollinator activities for kids this May, including scavenger hunts, planting projects, and Pollinator Picnic events at Winding Branch Ranch.

If you live in Central Texas, water isn’t just something that comes out of the tap, it’s part of our landscape, our livelihoods, and our daily decisions. Much of that water comes from the Edwards Aquifer, a vast underground system that supplies water to millions of people, supports agriculture, and sustains the natural beauty of our region. But for many families, the aquifer can feel like an abstract concept—we know it is important, but hard to picture or explain. That’s exac

Winnie is out of surgery. Dr. Harper just called to let us know everything went well. She is already standing and will be ready to come home at 4PM today. This is the moment we were hoping for. What Comes Next Winnie has a real chance to heal now, but the next few weeks will be important. She will need help getting up and down as her body adjusts. To support that, she will be using a wheelchair while she learns and regains strength. There will be a lot of rest. She will still

Today is an important day for Winnie. She is going in for surgery. Winnie came to the sanctuary after being stepped on by a much larger cow. Her previous owners could not keep her safe. The other animals were too rough, and she was not able to heal in that environment. When she arrived, she adapted the only way she could. She learned to live on three legs. Over time, Winnie grew into her full size and found stability. She moved, rested, and navigated her days as a tripod. She

Today is National Farm Animal Day. All week, we’ve been breaking down the food labels you see every day and what they actually mean for farm animals. From cage-free to free-range , grass-fed , and pasture-raised , one thing has become clear: Food labels don’t always tell the full story. Today, we’re looking at one of the most recognized and trusted terms on food labels : organic . 👉 See the full campaign here What People Think “Organic” Food Labels Mean When people see “or

National Farm Animal Day is tomorrow, and all week we’ve been breaking down the food labels you see every day and what they actually mean for farm animals. So far, we’ve covered cage-free , free-range , and grass-fed . Today, we’re looking at one of the most meaningful terms found on food labels : pasture-raised . 👉 Follow the full campaign here What People Think “Pasture-Raised” Food Labels Mean When people see “pasture-raised” on food labels , they picture: Animals living

This month in Kristen’s Corner, we’re celebrating Texas wildflowers—a simple, beautiful way to connect your family to nature while learning together.

National Farm Animal Day is this Friday, and all week we’re breaking down the food labels you see every day and what they actually mean for farm animals. So far, we’ve covered cage-free and free-range . Today, we’re looking at another widely misunderstood term found on food labels : grass-fed . 👉 Follow the full campaign here What People Think “Grass-Fed” Food Labels Means When people see “grass-fed” on food labels , they often picture: Cattle grazing freely on open pastur

National Farm Animal Day is this Friday, and all week we’re breaking down the labels you see every day and what they actually mean for farm animals. Yesterday, we covered cage-free . Today, we’re looking at another commonly misunderstood label: free-range . 👉 Follow the full campaign here What People Think The “Free-Range” Food Label Means When people see “free-range,” they often picture chickens: Roaming freely across open land Spending their days outdoors Living in natural

This National Farm Animal Day, Winding Branch Ranch is taking a closer look at the labels we see every day and what they actually mean for farm animals. Terms like cage-free , free-range , organic , and pasture-raised are designed to influence how we feel about the food we buy. But many of these labels are misunderstood and don’t always guarantee the conditions people imagine. Throughout this week, we’ll be breaking down one label each day so you can better understand what’s