The roots of the Kempfer operation stretch back to 1888, when George W. Hopkins relocated from Michigan to Florida, drawn by vast prairies and rich timberland near the headwaters of the St. Johns River. What began as a timber enterprise quickly evolved into a cattle operation, eventually encompassing over 100,000 acres and 10,000 head.

To support the mill and ranching operation, Hopkins built the Union Cypress Railroad—an early infrastructure investment that served as a lifeline for moving timber and cattle across the landscape. In 1915, the ranching legacy was formalized with the creation of Kempfer Land and Cattle Company. After the mill burned in 1919, the ranch remained—and became the foundation for what would become Kempfer’s Deer Park Ranch.

The next generations carried the legacy forward. After the early passing of George H. Kempfer, his wife Carolyn managed the ranch until their sons Billy and Reed took the reins in the late 1960s. In 1983, the business officially became Kempfer Cattle Company.

Today, the operation remains in the hands of Billy and Reed Kempfer and their families, who continue managing 25,000 acres of the original land. Ranching is a family affair, with kids still learning to work cattle during summer breaks, raising show steers, and participating in every aspect of ranch life. The values of stewardship, resilience, and hands-on responsibility continue to be passed down—alongside cattle that reflect those same traits.