WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO:
Our drive to make your operation successful is rooted in our own heritage.  We've been part of the agricultural industry, specifically the beef industry, from day one. Dusty grew up on Camp Cooley Ranch in Franklin, Texas and my family has owned and operated the Bar A Ranch in Hardeman County, Texas for more than 120 years. Now, we're continuing that heritage and building our own legacy. 
 
We want to help you build yours too.  


THE STORY BEHIND EXT VENTURES, LLC:
I was homeschooled from kindergarten through high school. As a sophomore in high school, I doubled-up on my course load and graduated at age 16. Rather than going straight to college, I started a photography business, wrote/photographed freelance for an online publication (Bloom!), started breaking a colt, and worked as a paralegal in a small town law office.
 
At 18, I began attending Redlands Community College where I obtained my A.S. in Animal Science and a Certification in Artificial Insemination. While attending RCC, I worked as a ranch hand for RCC's Royse Ranch (Beef and Equine Dept.) and continued to grow my photography business.
 
Upon graduating with my associate's, I went to work as a veterinary technician for Conley Veterinary Services before earning my B.S. in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources in Agricultural Communications at Oklahoma State University. During my time at OSU, I worked as a communications specialist for the OSU Horticulture Department.  Then, as a senior in college, I served as the Livestock Publication Council's summer intern through Beefmaster Breeders United.
 
Dusty just so happened to be BBU's Eastern Field Representative at the time... Long story short, I dumped a bowl of salsa on my khakis while trying to introduce myself to him and the rest is history. Fast forward almost a decade, a few states, several houses, and a lot more life experience - we're now parents to three of the greatest little humans, longtime coworkers, and overall life survival buddies. 
 
During my last semester of college, I'd picked up a few freelance clients just to help pay the bills and gain some experience. I loved building those relationships and knowing I'd helped someone reach their goals... But, I also knew if I was going to do something impactful, I'd need a real job with a real title working for a real company.

A couple months post-graduation, the "real job" hunt was still on and the side-gig business was picking up. Not explosive growth, but paying the bills all on its own. Plus, I knew I was making a real difference for producers, the backbone of the industry I wanted to impact. I knew my clients personally, we'd become friends. I wanted their success as much as I wanted my own success. Above all, I truly loved what I was doing. 
 
And that's when I realized, God's plans are so much bigger than my own.

Why couldn't I build the kind of company I wanted to work for? 

After a whole lot of uncomfortable growing pains, tons of work, more mental breakdowns than I'd care to discuss, loads of encouragement from Dusty, and a determined (most of the time) faith in God's leading...
 
That's exactly what I did. It's been an incredible blessing to grow this business along with our clients' businesses over the past (almost) decade.

We spent a few years serving in the association world through BBU and LCA. When we found out we would soon be parents, we moved into the production sector serving as ranch managers for a few years while continuing to serve our core group of marketing clients. While in the production sector we honed our stockmanship and land management skills.

We've also become experts at involving our three small children in as much as we possibly can.  Whether we're doing cow work, building a campaign for our clients, or covering a story for a publication, this is 100% a team effort. If you call us, there may be little voices in the background and if you see us in person, know that we definitely have extra snacks and wet wipes on hand. (A bonus if you ask me!) We will forever be thankful for the opportunity we have to work together and raise our family in this lifestyle. We would love to help you build your lasting legacy as we build our own.

If you'd like to get to know us, hop over to our blog and read about a few of our ridiculous adventures or pick up the phone and give us a call at 405-501-1382 (Emily) or 979-402-8153 (Dusty). We can't wait to get to know you!

- Emily Pendergrass, EXT Ventures, LLC