N. Malone Mitchell Jr. of Sanderson, Texas, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in animal science from OSU in 1963. He is currently the owner of Mitchell Ranches and has operated the ranch since before graduating from OSU.

 

Acquiring land over the years and producing primarily cattle and goats, he is the largest agricultural producer south of I-40 and east of I-35. The success of the ranch is a result of Mitchell’s dedication to conservation and land stewardship, shaped by his tenure as director of the Rio Grande-Pecos River Soil and Water Conservation District and his service on the board for 60 years.

 

Mitchell believes the quality of soil is crucial to his operation and is known for saying that “soil is the beginning of all agriculture.” As a result, the Mitchell family became cornerstone donors of the New Frontiers campaign to build a cutting-edge facility for OSU Agriculture and name the N. Malone Mitchell Jr. Soils Lab.

 

In addition, in July 2021, Mitchell established the N. Malone and Roberta Mitchell Jr. Family Endowed Scholarship in Animal Science. This $100,000 endowment supports students who are employed at the OSU Sheep and Goat Center and have plans to return to a commercial operation upon graduation.

 

During his time at OSU, Mitchell met his wife, Roberta. The couple supports OSU’s land-grant mission through philanthropic efforts to the Ferguson College of Agriculture, the OSU Department of Animal and Food Sciences and the OSU Polo Team. Mitchell credits his education at OSU for equipping him to be a lifelong, successful rancher and businessman.