Seminole Tradition Celebrates 500 Years of Ranching

Quick Smiles:

• Seminole tribe marks 500 years of cattle ranching in Florida.
• Florida ‘Cracker’ cattle remain a proud heritage breed.
• Seminole ranchers thrive, with over half of herds owned by women.

Florida’s Seminole tribe holds the unique title of America’s oldest ranchers, continuing a proud cattle-driving legacy that began when their ancestors acquired cattle from early Spanish settlers.

For five centuries, the Seminoles have cultivated cattle in the lush grasslands of Florida, overcoming challenges while proudly embracing their culture and history.

Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon’s arrival in 1521 sparked a pivotal moment when the Calusa people, Seminole ancestors, resisted colonization and acquired twenty Andalusian cattle that thrived in the region.

“They immediately took to raising them and the cattle did really well,” said Alex Johns, a Seminole cattleman. “It was just great cattle country, with lush grass and warm temperatures. Those Native Americans were my ancestors, and we’ve been raising cattle here ever since.”

These Old World cattle formed the foundation for Florida’s iconic ‘Cracker’ breed—a living symbol of Seminole determination and resourcefulness that remains the state’s official heritage cattle.

Seminole ranching traditions grew, with legendary chief “Cowkeeper” famously amassing a thousand head of cattle in the 1700s. His legacy continues as many Seminole ranchers still identify as “Cowkeepers.”

When forced relocation threatened their way of life, around 500 Seminoles, led by medicine man Abiaka (Sam Jones), found refuge in the Everglades, protecting their herd and heritage through adversity.

By the 20th century, Seminole descendants reclaimed land and formalized their ranching efforts, founding a co-op in the 1920s that today unites 68 families and more than 10,000 cattle—over half overseen by women ranchers.

“We’re a matriarchal society; we go by our mother’s ancestry,” Johns shared. “Part of that is because of all the wars we fought. The men didn’t live very long.”

The Seminole cattle operation now produces premium Brahma-Angus cattle, focusing on vitality and heat tolerance, ensuring that their legacy remains vibrant for generations to come.

Celebrate this incredible story of resilience and tradition—share it and brighten someone’s day!

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