For Peyton Chandley, ranching and land conservation go hand in hand. Photo courtesy of Peyton Chandley.

A Young Voice for Ranching and Conservation: Peyton Chandley

Conservation is not a very popular topic among my peers. As a teenager, and as a rancher, I think it should be. Our planet is already suffering from too much urbanization, and it will be even more populated when my generation grows older. Green spaces can always be turned into concrete, but developed land can rarely go back to nature.

Take a second to picture your favorite place. Out of anywhere in the world, where would you choose to live?

I have been fortunate enough to grow up in one of my favorite places - a dreamy landscape in Lake Wales, Florida. It is not uncommon to see a family of wild turkeys, a bald eagle carrying a freshly caught fish, a pair of crested caracaras, scampering whitetail deer, or the occasional gopher tortoise all within one hour.

A lone cow stands in a field as a storm approaches. Photo courtesy of Peyton Chandley.

This property is one of many ranches owned by my family. Many people are quick to blame agriculture for loss of habitat, but the ranchers I know strive to be good stewards of the land. Ranches provide habitat for countless endangered species that would not have a home otherwise.

The Chandley family has resided in Lake Wales and owned Grape Hammock Camp for four generations. This gem on Lake Kissimmee is a hot spot for fishing and airboat tours. Now, I live farther north on the Kissimmee chain, but this oasis will always be my early childhood home.

Although I am in my school’s International Baccalaureate program, previously played volleyball and have been on the weightlifting team, my activities and hobbies differ from the other students at my highschool. Outside of school, I am a member of 4H, the Florida Cattlewomen's Association, and the Junior Florida Cattlemen's Association at both county and state levels.

My family has a small herd of primarily SimAngus cattle that supply us with show steers to sell for the county fair each year, heifers to raise and return to the herd, and market calves to ship to a feedlot. Running this family ranch with my dad, Barrett Chandley, has taught me about forage, nutrition, and reproductive practices such as artificial insemination. Since it is an operation so close to a body of water, I have also learned about how beef cattle act as land management tools by grazing the aquatic weeds and plants.

One example is the West Indian Marsh grass, an invasive plant that is taking over the wetlands. There is currently no selective herbicide used, so the chemicals sprayed in defense actually kill all plants, even the natives. Beef cattle are a more natural and sustainable strategy to combat some exotics.

My livestock judging team has qualified for state this year! I have raised and shown my family’s own calves since I was eight years old. My younger brother, Gabe, also likes to raise and show steers at the annual county fair. Livestock shows are one way for youth to present their projects and show the public how much we care for our animals. I wish everyone had the opportunity to raise both breeding and market livestock projects because the unique skills I have learned from the experience are invaluable.

My mom, Lori Chandley, comes from a family with cattle production even more ingrained in their blood. Lightsey Cattle Company produces beef cattle in Polk, Highlands, and Osceola counties as well as in southwest Georgia. We own approximately 25,000 acres and lease another 11,000. My ancestors are estimated to have arrived in Florida with cattle in the 1850s, making me an eighth generation Florida cattle rancher.

Some of my favorite memories have been marking and branding cows during the winter and gathering up calves to wean and ship during the summer.

I have a lot of pride in this lifestyle, but unfortunately the amount of people entering the agriculture field is diminishing. There are so many incredible people in the Florida citrus and beef industries, both of which my family are a part of, that have not only helped me grow as a person, but have also worked diligently to ensure the future success of Florida’s people and its land.

I have been a witness to the complexity that goes into growing more food on less ground. Using Best Management Practices (BMPs), long hours, and good work ethics, Florida farmers are more sustainable than ever before.

Peyton’s grandfather, Cary Lightsey, is a 6th generation Florida rancher and a conservationist.

To me, the most influential of these and my role model is my grandfather, Cary Lightsey. Although there is no doubt that he has pride in the successful business he has built from nothing, my grandpa never boasts about his many accomplishments. He is more than the traditional cowboy image, his priorities are three simple things; family, faith, and the future of his land. His theory is that he is only borrowing God’s land for future generations.

Florida has one of the most biodiverse terrains in the world. We have ranches, like Brama Island for example, where you can find pastureland, forest, lakefront, marshes, and oak hammocks all in one place. There is something especially beautiful about the oak trees and palms growing together on the same soil that highlights the unique nature of the Sunshine State.

Experiencing wild Florida is something that I want everyone to have the chance to do, forever. I am grateful for organizations like Conservation Florida that are working to make an impact on this growing problem before it is too late.

About Conservation Florida’s ‘Voices for Conservation’ Series

From the sandhills to the swamps, Floridians don’t always agree, but we do find common ground in the land we share. Conservation connects us. It’s part of our ethos, our Floridian ethic. In it, there is hope for Florida’s conservation future.

Conservation Florida created Voices for Conservation to amplify the importance of protecting our native plants and wildlife, fresh water, family farms and ranches, and wild places.

The series of blogs and videos will feature Florida conservationists from all walks of life speaking up for a common goal – Saving land. For nature. For people. Forever. Every voice offers a unique perspective, but at the heart of each story is the same powerful message. Protecting land is necessary to keep our state, its people, and its wildlife healthy and thriving.