Rooted in Purpose: Justin Bindel of JB3 Ranch

On 200 acres outside Thornberry, Texas, Justin Bindel is building more than a cattle operation — he’s building a legacy.

Founded in 2023, JB3 Ranch is a growing cow/calf operation raising Angus and Scottish Highland cattle. With just over 40 head today, Justin and his family are taking a hands-on, intentional approach to ranching — one shaped by faith, family values, and a desire to slow life down.

“We wanted something different for our kids,” Justin says. “Not just a slower pace, but a more meaningful one where work, family, and values all intersect.”

A Return to Texas Roots

Although Justin and his wife Amber didn’t inherit land or equipment, agriculture runs deep in their family story. Ranching in Muenster, Texas dates back to 1901 in the Bindel family, earning recognition as a Designated Family Land Heritage Property.

“We’re first-generation in terms of starting from scratch,” Justin explains, “but we’re standing on over a hundred years of family stewardship. That history matters to us.”

Justin and Amber grew up in Wichita Falls before relocating to Salt Lake City in 2014, where they built careers and focused on raising their children. But over time, city life began to feel rushed and disconnected.

“Life had become constant motion,” Justin recalls. “Always moving, always chasing the next thing. We realized it wasn’t lining up with the priorities we wanted for our family.”

In 2023, they made the move back to Texas, purchased land next to Amber’s parents’ ranch, and began building JB3 Ranch from the ground up.

Living by the Five F’s

Justin describes his family’s approach to life as centered around what he calls the “Five F’s”: Faith, Family, Fitness, Formation, and Finance.

“We believe a rich life is built when those five things are in balance,” he says. “Ranching gave us a way to live that out every day.”

Today, Justin, Amber, and their three children are actively involved in the operation—feeding cattle, maintaining fences, and learning together through hands-on work.

“Working side by side has been one of the biggest gifts,” Justin shares. “Our kids are learning responsibility, patience, and stewardship in ways no classroom could teach.”

A Day’s Work: Pastor to Rancher

Justin’s path into agriculture didn’t follow a traditional route. For more than 20 years, he has served in pastoral ministry and currently works with young adults and families in Wichita Falls.

“I bring no formal ranching education,” he says. “Everything I’ve learned has been hands-on, through trial and error and from great mentors.”

While ministry focuses on long-term impact, ranching provides daily, visible results in Justin’s life.

“In pastoral work, you might wait years to see fruit,” Justin explains. “On the ranch, you build a fence, move cattle, grow wheat — and you see it immediately. That’s incredibly satisfying.”

For Justin, the ranch has become an extension of his life’s mission.

“It’s where our family is formed,” he says. “Where our values are practiced. Where we learn to work hard and take care of what’s been entrusted to us.”

Strength, Grit, and Ranch Life

Before returning to Texas, Justin and Amber owned CrossFit gyms in Utah, and Justin became a Level 2 certified trainer. That fitness background still plays a major role in his life.

“I train every week with a group of guys through Train Hard Men’s Club,” he says. “Ranch work keeps you honest — you can’t fake strength out here.”

Combining his love of fitness and agriculture, Justin will compete in the 2026 Red Bull Rancher Strong competition. “It’s a fun way to challenge myself,” he says. “And honestly, ranch work is some of the best training there is.”

A Passion for Beef and Barbecue

Ask Justin about his favorite cut of beef, and the answer comes quickly: Ribeye. But when it comes to what he cooks regularly, Brisket is king.

“I cook more than 150 Briskets a year,” he laughs. “Church events, nonprofits, fire department events — it’s something I truly love.”

As chaplain for the Wichita Falls Fire Department, Justin often uses barbecue as a way to serve and connect with others. He documents much of his smoking process on social media (@howdyhowdyrancher).

“Cooking brings people together,” he says. “There’s something special about sharing a meal you worked hard to prepare.”

Building Something That Lasts

Though JB3 Ranch is still young, Justin already sees its impact reaching far beyond cattle numbers and acreage. “This ranch is about legacy,” he says. “Not just land or livestock, but the kind of people our kids become.”

For Justin, ranching represents both continuity and new beginnings. It’s a way to honor family history while creating something uniquely his own.

“We’re learning every day,” he says. “We’re growing, making mistakes, getting better. And we wouldn’t trade this life for anything.”

In Thornberry, Texas, JB3 Ranch stands as proof that dedication, purpose, and love for the land can shape something truly meaningful — one fence post, one calf, and one family moment at a time.