Molli Foxley is a big city kid who never thought she’d be wearing cowgirl boots every day. 

Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Molli never had a rural environment to grow up in or any firsthand ag experience. Molli’s grandfather and great grandfather had feedlot operations, but the properties were sold before she was born. But Molli has always loved animals. 

From an early age, Molli wanted to be a veterinarian and she pursued the career path up through her first year of college in Tennessee. Veterinarian classes are tough and Molli started to rethink her career path, so she took some time off from school and moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. In New Orleans, she started working at a dog rescue and let her love for animals guide her along a new path. 

Molli re-enrolled in school, this time at Louisiana State University, with an ag science major. She began looking for ways to get involved and was accepted into the LSU Central Research Station Beef Unit. 

After graduating, Molli wasn’t sure where she’d end up next. Her passion for cattle and experiences working in the Beef Unit at LSU inspired her to look for a job where she could work with livestock. The best part about the ag industry? There are SO many paths and opportunities waiting out there for you, and Molli knew there was one waiting for her!

She found a listing for an internship with the East Foundation in South Texas and was accepted as a Ranch Management intern. The East Foundation is a science-minded, working cattle operation spread across six ranches that promotes the advancement of land stewardship through ranching, science, and education, so she got to learn the ins and outs of ranch management, explore new terrain, see new wildlife, develop new passions and learn how far the value of a “work hard” ethic can take you. 

The East Foundation saw how hard Molli was working and offered her a full-time position after her internship. Now, she’s been working full-time at the East Foundation for over three years as an Assistant Livestock Manager to a Unit Foreman. But Molli is more than just a ranch hand. She’s in charge of numerous herds of cattle, making sure they’re well fed, watered and exactly where they need to be. 

There are three pillars to Molli’s role as a Unit Foreman: Ranching, Science, and Education. 

Molli works with the other livestock managers and foremen to ensure they’re safely managing the cattle. Her passion for animals plays a key role in the position and she gets to care for plenty of cows and baby calves while out in the field.

But she isn’t in the field every single day! The East Foundation also conducts lots of research to determine the best conditions for cattle in South Texas. Molli gets to assist with rotational and continuous grazing research comparisons, monitoring the conditions of the grazing pastures and the effects on the herd’s health and growth. Molli’s experience working in the Beef Unit at LSU prepared her for the research opportunities that come with ranching, and this is one of her favorite parts of the job! 

She also gets the opportunity to educate local students that visit the East Foundation ranches. Molli works with the students and gets to show them how exciting and difficult ranching can be. Her passion is inspiring and even if just one kid leaves the East Foundation a bigger ranching advocate than before, Molli considers her job done. 

Molli’s key advice to anyone interested in animals and agriculture? You don’t have to grow up in a rural town or have family members to get into the industry. Find the path that works best for you and see where it leads! 

There are countless opportunities in your community and the surrounding areas to get involved. You can find summer camps, community programs, FFA and 4-H organizations always looking for eager individuals to get involved! Grab a parent and start looking for opportunities in your area. You might be surprised what’s waiting for you down the path!