Our Rich Tradition

Our story began in 1896 when our great-great-grandparents Sherwood "S.W." McClaren and his wife, Josie, started ranching on the fertile soil along the Little River near Cameron, Texas. Being an agricultural innovator and entrepreneur, S.W. became a prominent cattleman and farmer in Central Texas.

S.W.’s stewardship of the land, respect for the livestock and passion about the care his cattle received helped him produce beef he was proud to serve friends and family. A trustworthy and giving figure in the community, S.W. shared his love of the land and knowledge of how other ranchers could cultivate their lots to yield lush crops and strong herds. From dawn until dusk, his stalwart dedication to glorifying God and tending to the cattle produced the best quality beef around.

Recognizing the beauty of the land and the potential for ample provision, he and Josie bore nine children and continued to develop their homestead into the authentic ranch that McClaren Farms remains today. S.W.’s teachings of how to love the land and pay it forward for future generations inspired his four sons to lead influential lives in production agriculture. With a pioneering spirit, one of his sons, Hubert Lee, built a successful dairy operation, and another, Lawrence, introduced coastal Bermuda grass to Central Texas.