Publication Date
Fall 11-19-2015
School
School of Business
Major
Accounting
Keywords
ranching, sustainable, business model
Recommended Citation
Austin, Hannah M., "The Preservation of a Way of Life: A Look at the Sustainability of Family-Operated Ranches" (2015). Senior Honors Theses. 552.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/honors/552
Abstract
Ranching – the breeding, raising, and selling of cattle – is one of the long-established occupations of the American workforce. This labor-intensive industry is confronted with the struggles of fierce industry competition, government regulation, and a fluctuating market. As a result of the evolution of the industry and alteration of the ranching demographic, ranchers are being forced to restructure their profession. This thesis seeks to explore the many factors that affect sustainability of small family-operated ranches in the United States, as well as to investigate the alternative business models left to ranchers with which they can salvage their way of life.
