A fifth generation Oklahoman, Terry Stuart Forst is the general manager of the Stuart Ranch—Oklahoma’s oldest ranch under continuous family ownership- which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2018. With more than 40,000 acres spanning across parts of southeastern and southwestern Oklahoma, Forst has courageously faced the challenges of Oklahoma weather, changing markets and world events with eternal optimism and a deep faith.

Forst was born in Oklahoma City and graduated from Casady High School before earning her B.S. in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University. Following graduation she returned to the ranch to work for her father, Bob Stuart, running a successful horse program and overseeing many aspects of the day-to-day operations. When her life changed course the newly widowed mother of two moved to the Dallas area to explore a new opportunity, obtained her real estate license and entered into a new career. Soon realizing she missed the ranch, she enrolled in Texas Christian University’s Ranch Management Program, completing her degree and graduating top in her class. Using what she learned at TCU she developed a new management plan to increase sustainability and profitability, which to this day she continues to revise, recently launching Stuart Ranch Meat Company and plans to add a hunting lodge and event venue in the coming years.

As a leader in the cattle and ranching industry Forst was the first woman president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association from 2009-2011 and its first recipient of the Cattlemen of the Year Award in 2007. Additional honors include OSU’s Master Breeder Award in 2008, named as a “Significant Woman in Agriculture” by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry in 2017 and Induction into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 2007.

Forst, her two sons and their families live on the ranch in Waurika.