For Colton Courtney, the opening of the Branding Iron of Sherman is the latest chapter in a career that has always been closely connected to agriculture, animals, and his hometown.
The 2023 Sherman Central School graduate opened the retail meat store Aug. 1 at 121 W. Main St., bringing locally raised products to the community while putting skills he developed at Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES to work.
Courtney attended the Small Animal Science program at the Hewes Educational Center during high school. Although he grew up working with livestock and had already developed a strong background with larger animals, he chose the Career & Technical Education program because of its hands-on approach and his lifelong interest in animals.
“Within the first week, I knew it was the right choice for me,” Courtney said.
The experience gave Courtney more than an opportunity to learn about animal care. He also gained practical skills in math, writing, communication, and business that he continues to use as an entrepreneur.
At BOCES, students practice job interviews, complete applications, write cover letters, secure letters of recommendation, and give presentations. Courtney said those experiences helped build his confidence and prepared him for a career after graduation.
“I remember doing my mock job interview. It was the first job interview I think I ever had,” he said. “When I did graduate and have a real job interview, I was like, ‘Man, this was a piece of cake.’”
Today, those same skills are being put to use in Courtney’s own business.
The Branding Iron specializes in frozen retail meats, including beef raised through Courtney’s Texas Longhorn operation. The store also carries locally raised pork and chicken, locally grown fruits and vegetables, maple products and other goods made by local producers.
Courtney said the idea for the store developed after visiting friends in Ohio who operate a similar business. He had dreamed of opening one himself for years, and when a storefront became available in downtown Sherman, he decided to pursue the opportunity.
“A lot of blood, sweat, tears, and cash went into this place,” Courtney said.
The store is part of a larger agricultural business Courtney has been building for years. He is a third-generation Texas Longhorn producer and purchased his first bull in 2014 at age 10. Today, his cattle operation focuses on registered breeding stock that is sold throughout the country.
Courtney credits Mr. Shields, his Small Animal Science instructor, as one of the most influential teachers he has had. He said the CTE program also introduced him to classmates from different communities and gave him the opportunity to learn from people with different backgrounds.
Looking back on his path from high school to business ownership, Courtney said students should not be afraid to explore different opportunities. Indeed, his own career did not follow a straight line; he worked as a livestock auctioneer, attended college briefly on a scholarship, and later spent two years breeding cattle before pursuing his current ventures.
“Don’t be scared to try something,” Courtney said. “I’ve done a lot of different things in a lot of different industries, and it took me a long time to figure out where I really wanted to go. BOCES helped me get there.”
