Andrew McGibbon has ranching in his blood. Born in Tucson and raised on the Santa Rita Ranch east of Green Valley, McGibbon has spent nearly 40 years on ranch land that has produced grass-fed beef since 1884. Next month, he and his family will open it up to the public to share their way of life in cooperation with the University of Arizona’s nearby Santa Rita Experimental Range. The free event includes tours of a working ranch and visits with ranchers. Santa Rita Ranch is about 125 square miles and borders Quail Creek on the west, the top of the Santa Ritas on the east and the front of Elephant Head on the south. The northern boundary is a couple of miles south of Corona de Tucson. “It’s been a ranch for more than 100 years, but my grandfather, who was a small farmer in the Midwest, moved out here and purchased it back in the late 1960s,” McGibbon said. McGibbon, who took over the ranch from his father about 10 years ago, lives there with his wife, Micaela, their three daughters and several other ranching families who work the range. Micaela comes from the King family, longtime Southern Arizona ranchers who have been cattle ranching in Arizona since the late 1800s. Red Angus cattle make up the McGibbons’ herds, along with more than 25 horses. He says that sustainable range management and humane animal treatment are the backbone of his operation...more
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