The Great Florida Cattle Drive is gearing up to be a part of the fourth-grade A Land Remembered Program. With today’s technology, we can take a glimpse of the ride right to the classrooms.

A Land Remembered: Where Cattle, Conservation, and Beef Come Together

Now featured in the Great Florida Cattle Drive 2026 experience

UF/IFAS Extension’s six‑week enrichment program for Florida’s 4th graders—based on A Land Remembered (Student Edition – Volume 1)—is being honored as part of the Great Florida Cattle Drive 2026 (January 26–31, 2026), an immersive reenactment of Florida’s ranching heritage

Connecting Classroom to Cattle Drive

• Literature meets legacy: Students explore the MacIvey family’s pioneering story in A Land Remembered, delving into themes of land stewardship, cattle ranching, and ecosystem changes across Florida’s history.

• Real‑world immersion: As the cattle drive begins at the IFAS DeLuca Preserve in Okeechobee and winds through working cattle country toward the Okeechobee Cattlemen’s Arena, students can witness the modern practice of Florida cattle drives and cowboy life in action.

• Conservation and working lands: The program reinforces how Florida’s cattle operations today support conservation, water quality, and wildlife habitat—a living bridge between past and present.

Why It Matters

The Great Florida Cattle Drive is held only once every five years. The 2026 event, put together by the Florida Cow Culture Preservation Committee, draws on authentic “cow hunter” traditions, camp life, cowboy entertainment, and cattle moving across rural landscapes. 

By integrating the student program into this iconic event, UF/IFAS Extension offers learners:

• A hands‑on history lesson, beyond the classroom.

• A chance to see conservation in action on working ranches and preserves.

• A deeper connection to Florida’s beef industry, from literature to live experience.

Program Highlights & Timeline

Interested teachers or homeschool groups can:

• Register your class or program with your local UF/IFAS Extension office.  https://forms.office.com/r/gza2wqd2cr

What a fantastic opportunity for students to participate virtually. This is a unique opportunity to merge storytelling with living heritage—bringing Florida’s past and present to life.

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Let the land, the livestock, and the legacy lead the way.
Empower future stewards of Florida’s working landscape—today’s readers and tomorrow’s caretakers.

We look forward to our part in the fourth-grade A Land Remembered Program.