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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

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

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

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

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.

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