Church-Affiliated Ranch Balances Agriculture and Conservation in Central Florida

Deseret Cattle and Citrus, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been going strong for 65 years. This commercial farming and ranching operation is situated on about 295,000 acres in parts of three Florida counties between Orlando and Melbourne. www.mormonnewsroom.org/article...

[@ellsbry]

I wish they would’ve pointed out here in the video the fact that when the Church bought the property in the 1950’s that it was worthless for any cattle at all. It took them 8 months to even find the 800 head that were there when they bought it and today 45,000 cows plus that many calves. No one raised cattle back then in that swamp land area of central Florida because the native grass was inedible. The ranch developed varieties of grass in conjunction with the University that the cattle could get fat on. Now everyone around there has the ability to be profitable in cattle production. They drained the swamps -better said they developed a system of canals for both drainage and irrigation that cleaned up the water supply from stagnant swamps to become potable water supply for the surrounding and growing populations. So today because of the church’s ingenuity and stewardship swamps have yet again become thriving with populations of increased numbers of wildlife, potable & irrigation water, wild inedible swamp grasses into valuable pasture lands for both cattle and wildlife. What a blessing from heaven is the the Deseret Ranch to central Florida and abroad for both people and a sustainable nature!

[@rmartinie]

Tytyty for sharing these added facts and insights 👍🏻

[@saspen3]

Love this background information. Thank you! Do they allow visitors to the ranch?

[@olatunjiakinpelu7799]

As a member of the Church i was seriously amazed to see the farm of the church, this is amazing. The Presidents of the Church are Highly Inspired by the Holy Ghost. All Glory to God Almighty.

[@alewing4610]

My career was with the US Environmental Protection Agency and what I see in this video makes me very proud of what the Church is doing to undertake large scale agriculture on a sustainable basis and in harmony with nature. The cooperation with State and local government is highly commendable.

[@artheis1342]

From 1969 to 1979 My parents and brothers and sisters were members of the Ellsworth Ward. Brother Dall gave me my patriarchal blessing. Bishop Justeson sent me on my Mission I loved that Ward. It was a special blessing to have the opportunity to be a member of that Ward. The Chapel is gone as I understand it. We had such wonderful visits from the Prophet, President Kimball came to many of our sacrament meetings. The Ward members were humble ranchers and their families. Their love of the land and nature was such a lasting inspiration to me.

[@Bri-ru3kg]

I have lived in Salt Lake City, Utah & been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, my entire life (I am 43 years old). I know that the church provided/grew/manufactured most of the food items found in the Bishop's Store House. This is the 1st time that I have ever seen these videos. I had no idea how extensive this was. It has been amazing for me to see how well run our church & it's resources are (outside of my local church meetinghouse). Thank you for making these videos - I only wish I knew about them sooner. Sometimes seeing things - places, operations, principles being demonstrated, etc... - make things become more real, than just hearing about it or reading words about it.

[@mr.valentin4121]

Such a beautiful ranch! These men are doing gods work by taking care of the land the animals and helping people. God continue to bless these men so they can continue to do your work 🙏🏽✝️🚜🌈

[@KevlarX2]

I spent a week on that ranch when they had a Mormon boy scout encampment there back in 1980. Over 2,000 scouts. That was a great time.

[@dede3746]

That cattle is used to feed the needy all over the usa and probably the world. It is healthy beef, mostly because the cattle roam and are naturally fed from grazing. I love the church for what it is and what it does. I do not eat much meat. But, I know this beef is from well cared for, non-factory farmed animals and because of that it provides better nutrients and purity.

[@johnbullmartinsokoro7982]

This is wonderful. And i testify that, and it is in Habbakkuk 2:2 that my people shall see vision and write it down. Visions by our prophets and seers has always been manifesting and will continue for the benefit of man kind. I have no regret in praying and discovering this church. The church is true.

[@hollyodii5969]

Amazing acts of conservation and agriculture in the same coexisting land. Leadership following the Lord once again.

[@hpagalla]

God's hands in the ranch to bless others in need👍

[@aleishayamamoto7625]

Thank you. It is now march 23, 2020. Amazing works that we dreamed of having here in the philippines to sustain us during this covid 19 outbreak. You are indeed bless in florida having such great farm and leaders and workers there to keep all those animals and plants sustainable. Congratulations.

[@monicajones866]

What a great undertaking, like Joseph in Egypt laying up food to be used in times of need.

[@jasminechabot3211]

Wow! I was not aware of that wonderful initiative! Ready to feed the needy people.

[@wilfredocanlas5220]

GREAT and INSPIRING cattle ranch. We hope and pray for a big RICE FARM in the Philippines because we have many,many poor members. Philippines is always on top 5 of most number of baptisms worldwide I supposed. -Willy Canlas, MBA

[@jonathanamankwah1718]

God bless the planet earth because of His Church and Kingdom even the Church of Jesus Christ

[@glock19gen3]

Truly amazing! Truly God guided this effort

[@Melanie-jm3yu]

I love nature and I really enjoyed this video.

[@7ajhubbell]

Well done! Thank you for sharing with us.

[@halhalladay8165]

How thankfull we are for our church for site , we allso know it is thur our Father in Hevan helping our leaders.

[@VolleyballMama]

I would be so scared of the alligators!! 😳 I love love love those cows though! Thanks to all you workers for making this world a better place.

[@jamestown8398]

What a scenic workplace.

[@aeyacastanares1034]

wow i love to work in this farm...amazing...

[@rcvaerialnorth5162]

I hope the church does something in New Zealand soon

[@saspen3]

I keep wondering why we don't have any church owned farms here too!

[@zubenelgenubi]

Conservative! Responsible! Investment in the future for many!! Inspired Wisdom!!

[@wtaylordurrant]

Consult with Temple Grandin. She is a cattle consultant. She is a professor at Colorado State University.

[@christianjohnson2757]

Wow! 45,000 cows...

[@itsjustslash]

Love this!!

[@thegamechanger7157]

This groups can make it easy Sure, we can good ways It's good

[@PetsNPatients]

Amazing

[@davidhuber8779]

This ranch is an investment. No mention of providing beef to the welfare system. I drove through the ranch for almost an hour, on a public road, and never saw the waters shown here. I did see many small groups of cattle in fenced pastures.

[@boussoleinstitute89]

this is amaizing

[@bovaoifi]

NIce

[@meyersonfire]

really nice

[@stevenchase8124]

Stephanie I pray you come back to people who truly loves you. Teach your children about their Brother Jesus Christ your Lord Redeemer our KING Amen

[@aleabunker5863]

What are some of their specific regenerative agriculture practices?

[@hugomontoya8811]

EXELENT

[@nadinehightower2894]

I always thought this was just a cattle ranch. Boy was I uninformed : )

[@mikez1114]

When is the Church going to brand its own cereal?

[@Yunginspirit]

You will have to ask them. (:

[@happyeverydayeverydayokay3407]

Mormon Censorship same like qualer oats!😂😂😂

[@happyeverydayeverydayokay3407]

quaker

[@dede3746]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does have a brand for its "not for sale" products for its welfare program. This brand name is DESERET. They make or repackage cereal, granola and other foods to be distributed to the poor and needy. I am very happy you asked that question. I love the church.

[@javymcdeez3958]

same gmo poison oats made by monsanto

[@weenislickah8897]

Who else sees this on a weather app radar or google maps and wonder what it is

[@hilarioromero6028]

What denomination of chur is this?

[@jillianguilford5191]

It is Christian. It is the restoration of the church Jesus Christ established.

[@leaperalta438]

I sub...

[@thegamechanger7157]

Okay it's good

[@BlueGardenCottage]

I'm grateful that at least the Church doesn't go along with the modern intensive farming that I cannot in any way support. It's nowhere near what Heavenly Father would want for His creations. To call this ranch sustainable though is not quite accurate. Sustainable means to keep things going as they are and is only a good thing once it has been regenerated and that seems to be the case here. The land has been and is being regenerated to a point where it can be sustained while still further regenerative plans evolve so sustainably regenerated would be a better term.😊 Good to see.

[@thegamechanger7157]

Many Baptist , Jesus Christ here, Mormons, etc Catholics. Professionals. Yeah chose what you wants Many.

[@Yadu36748]

But now they are turning it into residential

[@ms.laundrylist2680]

Are You a 501c 3

[@GERDWESTERLING]

Hope they don´t use pesticides!!!

[@SA-or3cr]

From what I understand animal farming is no longer necessary in developed countries except in a very few cases such as certain medicines. I feel that we should not kill animals unless our health or life nescessitates it. What is the mormon church's moral reasoning behind this practice? Does anyone know where I can learn more about this?

[@jerrysutton4533]

The Lord said he would prefer we use animals in the time and season thereof. Famine weather conditions ...... But any who forbid are not from him. Animal sacrifice, particularly a lamb, placed the sins of men on the animal. It was a representation of Jesus Christ who took on the sins of all mankind. It was to stop after His crucification. It is an abomanation to make a sacrifice of an animal now. So basically we are allowed to eat meat sparingly. My Thought is, we have two eye teeth out of 32 so meat should be 1/16th of diet. Just speculation🤔 By the way animals will be in Heaven along with humans. We will be judged on our treatment of all creatures. Torture must be answered for just as a myriad of other sins. Repentance is required.

[@joshlower1]

S A that’s dumb.theres nothing wrong with eating meat

[@00Fisher00]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints imposes no requirement upon anyone to eat meat, but early scripture points to the usage of meat for food. Genesis 9:3 -- "Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things." However, I've known a number of members of the Church that were vegetarian, and their personal practice of vegetarianism does not conflict with their religious convictions.

[@zioncityofgod4818]

To feed the millions of hungry, or very low income people all over the world, until they are able to get on their feet. Many times includes even people from other religions. At the same time, the Church having it's ownl Welfare program, lightens the expenses of the tax payers trough the government. Investing in our own ranches to provide for those in need is cheaper than buying to do it.

[@jacbox3889]

I wish the LDS Church would get rid of the cattle and just concentrate on grain, fruit and vegetables. Follow the word of wisdom.

[@pammyla66]

JAC BOX I agree we should not eat meat I as a Mormon follow the word of wisdom

[@juliesteimle3867]

The Word of Wisdom says you can have meat. Just sparingly. Read it again. Welfare Square makes really great beef stew. My Grandpa ran this ranch before I was born. I've heard stories about it.

[@MetroSA-227]

If it is like the Desert Cattle ranch in Utah and Wyoming, the church does not own the cattle, they lease grazing rights to nearby ranchers, which when managed is a win, win for the land and ranchers.

[@supernannoe44]

How would geting rid of the cattle have anything to do with Folloeing the word of wisdom?

[@javymcdeez3958]

the mormon church is only in it for the money check out Marriner Stoddard Eccles a famous mormon they wont mention

[@jeanwelsh6128]

Not sustainable.