Tommy Grona
The Gillespie County SWCD is proud to name Tommy Grona as its 2024 Conservation Rancher of the Year.
Tommy has been ranching in Gillespie County for well over 50 years on his family ranch. He is the 3rd of 4 generations to have lived and worked on the ranch.
Tommy took over the nearly 3,000-acre ranch in the 1970’s when it was passed down to him by his father Milton Grona who had taken over from his father Max Grona.
On March 27, 1971, Tommy married the love of his life Jennabeth. They have 2 sons, Trent and Jay who grew up on the ranch and still help today.
Historically cattle, sheep, and goats have all been run in rotation on the ranch with grass fields managed for hay and grazing. Tommy remembers at one time that his father had some 1,500 head of sheep and goats.
Today the family ranch is divided between his sister Antoinette and himself, with all the original acreage remaining in ag production. With the help of his family Tommy operates 1,400+ acres of rangeland and approximately 160 acres of grass fields of the original ranch. He also leases an additional 277 acres for grazing and hay production. Tommy made the hard decision, about 10 years ago, to sell off the remaining sheep on the ranch and shift to an all cattle herd as predator pressure had become too great. The cow-calf operation consists of Angus Cross cattle raised and sold for beef production. Well monitored forage quantity and quality along with an adaptable grazing rotation is key to the success and longevity of the operation.
Along with the cattle hay production is a large part of the operation. Fields of Tifton and Klein grass are managed so that a good healthy cover always remains on the soil. Fertilizer is applied at proper rates and times to ensure that no runoff occurs into the nearby Pedernales River. In addition to the hay, seed is also harvested from the Klein grass fields. This creates greater self-sufficiency and helps to cut costs as it allows him to renovate and reseed his own fields when necessary. It also diversifies the operation and adds another means of income for the ranch through the sale of seed.
Wildlife management is yet another facet of Tommy’s operation. Good grazing management has allowed him to keep a diverse cover on the rangeland that has produced quality deer throughout the years. The ranch is leased out for hunting to help manage deer populations at healthy levels. Forage, grazing, and wildlife management are not the only conservation practices applied to the ranch.
Tommy has worked with the SWCD and NRCS throughout the years to install fencing to further facilitate his grazing rotation, an expanded watering system to promote equal forage utilization and minimize overgrazing, as well as brush management to maintain and expand grazable acres and create more diverse wildlife habitat.
Commercial livestock were not the only animals raised on the ranch. When the boys were in school Tommy helped them to raise lambs for showing in 4H and FFA stock shows.
Tommy has also volunteered much of his time over the years to serve on local 4H and FFA boards, the Gillespie County Fair Association Beef Cattle Committee, FHA Committee, and was a long-term member of the FSA County Committee representing Gillespie County.
When not working hard Tommy enjoys spending his time hunting, fishing, attending, and supporting all the activities his 4 granddaughters are involved in, and just relaxing and enjoying time with family and friends.
The Gillespie County SWCD appreciates and applauds the selfless service to community, continuation of the heritage of ranching and farming in Gillespie County, and the many decades of commitment to good land stewardship. For all these things we say thank you to the Conservation Rancher of the Year, Tommy Grona.