Young Farmers & Ranchers District 3

District 3
Hunter Horne, Jefferson County

Hunter is the Director of Cattle Operations for Great Mark Western. He currently spearheads a team that manages all aspects of the cattle business for the company, which includes a seed stock herd of registered Angus and Brangus cattle, as well as a large-scale commercial cow-calf operation. The operation retains ownership of cattle on feed yards in the Midwest and markets on a grid-based system. Horne is a past graduate of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association’s Leadership Academy as well as a graduate of the American Angus Association’s Beef Leader’s Institute. He currently serves as the state director for the Jefferson County Cattlemen’s Association and on the marketing committee at the state level. Horne holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Real Estate from Florida State University. His outside interests include hunting, water skiing and traveling with his wife.

Cody and Cierra Ledford, Madison County

Cody and Cierra are first generation ranchers in Lee, Fla. They both have a life-long passion for agriculture and are the owners and operators of Iron Rail Ranch, a cow/calf operation including hay and pecan production as well as several niche facets within. Cierra helps manage day to day operations and homeschools their 3 children: Brindle (9), Wacey (7) and Opal (3). Additionally, she has a passion for aviation and is testing for her private pilot’s license with intent to further her licensing when completed. Cody owns Superior Welding and Hydraulics, a full service hydraulic and welding shop in Madison, Fla. The couple enjoys traveling and spending time with their family on the ranch and abroad.

Tyler and Emily Shadrick, Madison County

Tyler and Emily own and operate a commercial organic blueberry farm in Madison, Fla. In addition to farming, Tyler works full time for the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home and Emily teaches third grade. 

Erin Jones, Suwannee County

Erin is the UF/IFAS Livestock Extension Agent in Suwannee County located in Live Oak, Fla. She works to provide education outreach to local farmers and ranchers in Suwannee County. She is also heavily involved with the Suwannee County 4-H program, where she is the club leader for Small Town Clovers and coaches the youth livestock judging team cultivating a passion for agriculture in the future generations of the ag industry. Prior to extension, Jones worked as the Manger of Operations for Etheridge Cattle Company, a family owned and operated beef cattle preconditioning and finishing yard for four years. Jones and her family have a small cow/calf operation in Gilchrist County. Jones has served on the Florida Farm Bureau Beef Advisory Committee and the President for Gilchrist County Farm Bureau for the past year. Jones holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science and is currently enrolled at the University of Florida in Agronomy to acquire her master’s degree. Her outside interests include spending time with family, hunting, anything cattle related and working with youth livestock exhibitors with their projects.

To contact your YF&R district committee member, please email [email protected].