Your 2026 Officer Team
President- Curtis Toman
Curtis serves as the general manager of the Sumter County Livestock Auction. He is also part owner of Cuban Cracker Cattle Company, a direct to market beef producer. These endeavors give Curtis a well rounded knowledge of multiple facets of Florida’s cattle industry. This knowledge makes Curtis a better advocate for the beef industry and agriculture in general.
Vice-President/State Director- Tyler McAlister
An American Degree recipient for the FFA and graduate of the Florida Cattlemen’s Leadership AcademyTyler has always had a passion for agriculture. Through his involvement in multiple youth groups and animal projects while in school Tyler has a passion for educating the public on the workings and needs of local farms.
Treasurer- Corey Reichert
Working for Farm Credit of Florida gives Corey vast knowledge of topics including agricultural finance. His hard work helps to keep our organization financially solvent. This financial stability allows us to carry out our mission of supporting local agriculture.
Secretary-
David Swartzfager
A graduate of the University of Florida, David is an agriculture teacher at South Sumter High School. David has a long history in the Sumter county cattle industry including serving as president of the Sumter County Junior Cattlemen’s Association. David serves not only as our secretary, but as the liaison between the SCCA and Sumter County schools agriculture education programs.
Representing Our Members In Tallahassee
In February, SCCA President Curtis Toman, VP/State Director Tyler McAlister, board member Jim McAlister, and Gator Collegiate Cattlemen member/Sumter County resident Sheyenne McAlister attended the Florida Cattlemen’s Association Boots on the Hill event in Tallahassee. During the two day event, cattle industry advocates from across the state visited with our state senators and representatives to discuss the concerns of Florida’s cattle producers and other members of the agriculture community.
In February Sumter county hosted the first ever Florida Cattlemen’s Association Fun and Gun fundraiser at Mazak Ranch in Bushnell. The event consisted of music, raffles, games, live and silent auctions, and a steak dinner. Members of SCCA cooked more than 350 steaks for hungry event attendees. Over $150,000.00 was raised to benefit both the FCA political action committee as well as the Florida Cattlemen’s Foundation. The Sumter County Cattlemen’s Association was proud to do our part to support this event. It was HUUUGE!
Helping Our Fellow Ranchers in Their Time of Need
In the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton, members of the Sumter County Cattlemen’s Association Emergency Response Team sprung in to action to assist farmers and ranchers locally and statewide. Team members joined other members of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association responding to Mayo and Polk County to assist with tree removal, fence repair, and restoration of critical infrastructure. A distribution point was also established in Webster to provide local ranchers with fencing supplies, feed, and hay. The SCCA is proud to do our part to aid in the relief of fellow farmers and ranchers in their time of need.
A special thank you to Curtis Toman and Tyler McAlister (team leads) Joyce McAlister (SCCA member), and Sheyenne McAlister (UF Colligate Cattlewomen) for deploying to these affected areas.
The Great Florida Cattle History
In 1521 Ponce De Leon arived off the shores of what is now Charlotte harbor Florida with the intention of settling this new world in the name of Spain. With him, he brought seven head of Spanish Andalusian cattle. These cattle would be the first to ever step foot in what would one day become the United States. While Ponce’s venture would turn out to be an abismal failure, it would open the door to further Spanish exsploration and setlement. With each wave of Spaniards came more cattle. By the 1600s there were Spanish missions stretching from St. Augustine to Pensecola. Each of these ranches was supported by a Spanish rancho. For the last 500 years Florida has played a major role in our country’s cattle industry.
Through it’s earliest days of trading cattle with Spanish colonies to the south, Florida established some of the first exportation of beef.
Instances of cattle rustling, range wars, indian wars, and cattle drives so commonly associated with western ranching operations were happeining in Florida as well and often times predating the same events in the west.
Not only was Florida the first in many accomplishments, they were also the last. Some of the last documented great cattle drives occured in Florida. This is due in part that Florida was the last state to officailly close the open range (1949).
Today Florida continues to play a large role in the American cattle industry. We rank 12th in the nation in beef cattle production. Five of the largest cow/calf operations in the country are located in Florida. Deseret Ranch, located just a short drive from Disney, is home to the largest herd of brood cows in the nation.
Florida has a proud tradition when it comes to the beef industry. For over 500 years Florida cattlemen and women have worked diligently to provide a safe, healthy product to consumers while at the same time, striving to protect out state’s natural environment and green spaces for future generations. As long as there are cattle in our state, you will find dedicated individuals carrying on Florida’s proud cow culture and heritage.
Questions? Ideas?
Have questions about The Sumter County Cattlemen’s Association? Have Ideas for community Events? We love to hear your questions and ideas!