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Kristen's Corner: May 2026
Discover simple, hands-on pollinator activities for kids this May, including scavenger hunts, planting projects, and Pollinator Picnic events at Winding Branch Ranch.

Winding Branch Ranch
May 123 min read


Learning with the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance
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

Winding Branch Ranch
May 53 min read


Winnie’s Surgery Update: She’s Standing
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

Winding Branch Ranch
Apr 171 min read


Winnie’s Surgery: A Step Toward Healing
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

Winding Branch Ranch
Apr 162 min read


Organic: What It Really Means on Food Labels
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

Winding Branch Ranch
Apr 103 min read


Pasture-Raised: What It Really Means on Food Labels
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

Winding Branch Ranch
Apr 92 min read


Kristen's Corner: April 2026
This month in Kristen’s Corner, we’re celebrating Texas wildflowers—a simple, beautiful way to connect your family to nature while learning together.

Winding Branch Ranch
Apr 82 min read


Grass-Fed: What It Really Means on Food Labels
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

Winding Branch Ranch
Apr 82 min read


Free-Range: What It Really Means for Birds - Food Labels Explained
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

Winding Branch Ranch
Apr 72 min read


National Farm Animal Day: What “Cage-Free” Really Means - Food Labels Explained
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

Winding Branch Ranch
Apr 62 min read


As Seen on San Antonio Living
Winding Branch Ranch was featured this morning on San Antonio Living with host Shelly Miles, highlighting the Ranch’s growing education programs and upcoming initiatives. Executive Director, Matthew Aversa, joined the show to talk about summer camps, hands-on learning opportunities, and a new campaign launching next week for National Farm Animal Day. If you missed it, you can watch the full segment below. Watch the Segment What Was Featured The segment offered a look into how

Winding Branch Ranch
Apr 41 min read


The Sanctuary Brief: What’s Happening at Winding Branch Ranch This April
Spring always brings a shift out here. Things start moving a little faster. The garden wakes up. The animals change with the season. And more people start finding their way through the gates. This year, it feels bigger than that. We’re growing. Not just in numbers, but in what we’re offering and what this place is becoming. National Farm Animal Day Matters Here April 10 is National Farm Animal Day, and it means something here. Last year, because of this community, the cities

Winding Branch Ranch
Apr 13 min read


Cultivate: Where Responsibility Becomes Real
There is a difference between learning something… and actually doing it. At Winding Branch Ranch, we see that difference every day. Cultivate is where it happens. Not a Classroom. A Real Environment. Cultivate is designed for youth ages 7–14 who are ready for more than worksheets and passive learning. This is not a simulation. This is not a field trip. This is a working livestock animal rescue and agricultural resource center. Participants step into the daily rhythm of the

Winding Branch Ranch
Mar 312 min read


More Than a Farm Stand
Our Farm Stand is open Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, featuring fresh eggs, produce, seedlings, and handmade goods grown and created right here at the sanctuary.

Winding Branch Ranch
Mar 281 min read


Growing Something Bigger Than a Garden
There’s something happening at Winding Branch Ranch that goes beyond planting seeds. Our Garden Club meets every Wednesday and Saturday from 9:00–11:00 AM and is open to adults 18+. While the work is simple—watering, planting, harvesting—the impact runs deeper. This has become a space where people slow down, work with their hands, and reconnect with where food comes from and how it’s grown. What we’re building is not just a garden. It’s part of a larger vision to educate our

Winding Branch Ranch
Mar 281 min read


A Look Inside This Week’s Farm Call
This week, our veterinary team came out to Winding Branch Ranch for a full farm call. These visits are essential to the health of the animals who call the sanctuary home. A farm call means more than a routine checkup. It includes travel, time on-site, vaccines, hoof care, diagnostics, and individualized attention for animals who need extra support. It’s one of the most important ways we ensure every animal here is receiving the care they deserve. This visit covered a lot of g

Winding Branch Ranch
Mar 282 min read
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