By Shelby Shank
Field Editor
Passion and faith guide Ryan and Madilyn Yeatts as they balance their careers in agriculture.
Both come from farm and ranch families, though the last two generations relied more on off-farm income. The young couples’ personal and professional lives, however, still reflect their families’ passion for agriculture.
The high school sweethearts were both active in FFA before attending Texas A&M University, where they earned degrees in animal science. Ryan specialized in meat science, while Madilyn focused on equine science.
Their time in college was shaped by their experiences—Ryan on the meat judging team and Madilyn judging horses—and that still influences how they serve agriculture today.
Ryan works as an operations analyst for Standard Meat Company, a custom meat portioner supplying restaurants, fast food chains and meal kit providers across the country. His role combines financial analytics with creative ideation, involving tasks from pricing and profitability to steak cutting and recipe development.
“One of the most rewarding aspects is being able to travel to customers, whether a high-end steakhouse or fast-casual restaurant. I get to teach people about meat, where it comes from and why agriculture is important,” Ryan said. “I get to help everyone from executive board members to kitchen staff understand the full journey from pasture to plate.”
Ryan often leads “Beef 101” short courses for restaurants and private equity firms, teaching participants how agriculture relates to the food they’re putting on the table in front of customers.
For him, it’s more than business. It’s a purpose.
“God has called me to this role. I have a unique opportunity to speak directly to the end consumer, telling the story of agriculture,” he said. “At the end of the day, we’re not just producing food, we’re part of someone’s experience when they sit down to share a meal.”
Madilyn brings that same heart for service to her role with D&L Farm and Home, where she works as an equine and outside sales specialist. Her days are often spent on farm calls across North Texas and into Oklahoma, advising trainers, breeders and ranchers on nutrition programs.
“I provide customized feed and nutrition consultations for horses, cattle, sheep, goats and even exotic animals like giraffes,” Madilyn said. “But at the heart of it, my job is about building relationships. I get to be part of someone’s story, helping their animals perform at their best level and becoming friends along the way.”
Her love for horses began at age four with a pony ride at a birthday party. Although she didn’t grow up owning a horse, she pursued every opportunity to stay involved with the equine industry. She participated in horse judging and internships and now coaches a high school horse judging team.
Together, Ryan and Madilyn are building their own agricultural legacy.
On their 32-acre farm, the couple raise commercial Royal White hair sheep for meat production, tend a large garden to sell at farmers markets and are expanding their pecan and peach orchards.
“While both of us have full time jobs, our goal is to continue to grow and expand our sheep herd and pecan and peach orchards,” Ryan said. “If it’s God’s plan, one day we’d love to be full-time farmers and ranchers.”
Faith remains at the center of everything they do. Ryan and Madilyn are active in their church and serve as worship leaders.
The couple is also active in both county and state Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) events and county Farm Bureau activities. Ryan serves as the vice chair on TFB’s YF&R Advisory Committee and as the Youth and YF&R chair for Montague County Farm Bureau.
“Our hope is to keep expanding, keep learning and keep serving,” Ryan said. “At the end of the day, we just want to be faithful stewards of the land, the livestock and the people God has placed in our lives.”
Watch a video with the Yeatts.
Excellence in Agriculture Contest
The Yeatts are finalists in TFB’s Excellence in Agriculture Contest.
The contest recognizes young men and women ages 18 to 35 who are involved in agriculture but do not earn their primary income from a farm or ranch enterprise.
Information on the contest and TFB’s YF&R program can be found online at texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.
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