Farm & Ranch Family The folks at McCoy’s Building Supply understand that it takes a lot of hard work and the whole family pitching in to get things done on a farm or ranch. That’s why we’d like to take some time out to salute Texas High School Rodeo Association families who are farmers and ranchers. In our monthly Farm & Ranch Family Spotlight, we’ll feature one family, sharing their story of how they work together as a family to make their farm or ranch successful.The spotlight will run for 10 months; each month will feature a different Region. Each Regional McCoy’s Farm and Ranch Family will receive a $100 McCoy’s Gift Card. The McCoy’s Farm and Ranch Family of the Year will receive a $500 McCoy’s Gift Card and will be announced at the 2016 THSRA State Finals.
The Lewis Family of Region II
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by Catelyn Felts
ongratulations to the Lewis’ for being selected as the McCoy’s Farm and Ranch family of the Month! The Region II family, Spicer, Erica, Tristin (17) and Scout (8), reside in Paducah, Texas and help out on the Triangle Ranch located right in between Paducah and Crowell, Texas. There are four camps on the Triangle Ranch, each run by different men, while Tyson Johnson is the manager. Spicer has been running the Headquarters camp for the past five years, and Tristin has worked with him for the past two years anytime that she is not in school. “The ranch is owned by Agreserves, Inc.,” Erica explained. “The entire family helps during the summer months and whenever there is a school holiday.” The main business of the ranch is cow/calf operation. When the calves are weaned, they are retained on the ranch as native yearlings and shipped when they are ready. The SCOUT LEWIS ranch also receives yearlings from Florida and ships them out when they are ready as well. With so many roles that are needed on the Triangle ranch, Erica said it is vital for everyone to work together and help out wherever they are needed. “The kids from each camp help their parents, many wives assist, and the cowboys all help each other on an as-needed basis,” Erica said. “From water gaps to mavericks, it is a family affair!” The family expressed how they love the ranching lifestyle because it teaches the kids responsibility, and it instills a good work ethic. “Scout and Tristin love working on the ranch with their dad, and we love that they can go home, saddle a horse, and either practice or just ride,” Erica said. When the family is not working on the ranch, they enjoy travel-
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ling to rodeos together. “Rodeo has become a lifestyle for us,” Erica said. “We travel together, practice together, and we coach each other.” Erica explained how Scout has started to run barrels, poles, and tie goats in local rodeos; however, she does not take the sport as serious as Tristin yet. Tristin is currently focusing on her team roping, breakaway roping, and training a few barrel horses as well. The family travels to team ropings together as well as a couple of other youth rodeo organizations, including the THSRA. They explained how they love to go to the THSRA rodeos because of the great atmosphere and family-like bond they share with others who are involved in the organization. “Tristin has met some wonderful, lifelong friends because of high school rodeo,” Erica said. “The lessons learned and the memories made are a priceless treasure.” TRISTAN LEWIS Though Tristin is a senior this year, Erica and Spicer said they plan to haul Scout to the high school rodeos once she gets old enough. Until then, the family said they are very honored to be selected as the McCoy’s Farm and Ranch Family of the month. “Our family is proud of our ranching heritage and we love the western lifestyle,” Erica said. “We we would like to thank McCoy’s for all they do to bring recognition to ranching families.”
SPICER & ERICA LEWIS