On Saturday, July 25, Vets to Cowboys, Inc. marked National Cowboy Day by opening its doors for a specialized, hands-on training event right here in Grand Bay. For military veterans navigating the heavy mental toll of returning to civilian life, finding a renewed sense of purpose can often feel like an uphill battle. This local ranch is stepping up to change that.
Founded by Jeremy and Heather Clark, the nonprofit operates out of the 140-acre C-4 Cattle Company. The mission hits close to home. After returning from Syria on his final deployment, Jeremy used raising livestock to find his own footing. Realizing that fellow vets craved that same outdoor, mission-driven environment, the couple started building a path to help them become first-generation farmers.
“We’re taking them to do cowboy stuff, but we’re also showing them, ‘Hey, this can be your new way of life. You can start raising cows and make money and feed your family,” Jeremy shared.
Running from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, the morning event rolled right into the practical side of ranching. Participants got their hands dirty working cattle in corral systems, learning safe trailering and hauling techniques, and digging into startup resources.
The morning wrapped up with a community lunch at noon, giving participants a chance to swap stories and build connections.
Watch event highlights here.
