YOUNG CATTLE RAISERS
Educator Shares Ranching Passion at Museum
Reaching out to 5,600 students on more than than 50 campuses with 152 presentations in 18 months By Kim Smith, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Foundation
T
HROUGH THE CATTLE RAISERS MUSEUM, THE TEXAS AND Southwestern Cattle Raisers Foundation provides learning experiences for people of all ages on
ranching history and the commitment today’s cattle raisers have for their land and livestock. Education initiatives, exhibitions and programming teach mul- tiple generations about ranchers’ devotion to respon- sibly managing our natural resources and supplying consumers with the safest and most nutritious beef in the world. Since relocating to the Fort Worth Mu-
seum of Science and History, the Cattle Raisers Museum has been able to offer educational experiences to approximately 90,000 students per year. The majority of students are from inner city schools in the Metroplex who have had limited, if any, exposure to the cattle industry. The goal is providing a fun, yet edu-
cational experience for students through hands-on exercises and materials provided to teachers. Topics include cattle drives, branding, life on the cattle trail and the signifi cance of certain working attire such as chaps and spurs. Recently a workshop was conducted at one of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History’s Innovation Studios featuring activities for children 8 to 12 years of age and their parents regarding trail drives. While the programs provide a historical perspec-
the other byproducts that they use such as baseballs, medicine, candy and makeup. Hands-on experiences open their eyes to the ways that ranching touches their lives, even if they live in the city.” Bedford, who has headed up education program-
ming for the past 4 years, is responsible for continually developing and updating curriculum and programs. He has to ensure that the outreach programs not only provide students a historical perspective but also align with the Texas history components required by the Texas Education Agency. Fortunately, education is Bedford’s life. A
native of Fort Worth, he is a career educator who taught Texas history, American history, government and economics before serving as a school administrator and then as an educational consultant upon retirement. In addition to providing programs to
David Bedford
school groups visiting the museum, Bed- ford conducts on-site programs in schools. During the past 18 months he has visited 51 campuses making 152 presentations to
5,600 students. He also utilizes video conferencing to reach schools throughout the nation to enrich students’ history, science and math education with fact-based information about the western lifestyle. In addition, he delivers teacher workshops and makes presentations to civic organizations throughout the Metroplex. “I’ve got a passion for the heritage of the livestock
tive, activities also show the signifi cance of the cattle industry today to Texas, the nation and the world. As David Bedford, education coordinator for the
Cattle Raisers Museum, notes, “It is fun to watch as stu- dents learn about how the industry impacts their daily lives, not only from consumption of a hamburger, but
40 The Cattleman March 2014
industry and for teaching, so my ‘work’ is the gratify- ing fun of sharing very rich history with people of all ages,” Bedford says. For additional resources and instructional informa-
tion about the Cattle Raisers Museum, contact David Bedford, 817-255-9342,
dbedford@fwmsh.org.
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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