From Rancher to
Culinary Innovator
How Nancy Marin Put Ostrich on Belize’s Food Map
In western Belize, where cattle ranching has shaped the region for generations, Nancy Marin stands out as a rancher who chose a very different path. Raised on one of the largest cattle ranches in the area, Nancy grew up understanding land management, livestock, and the business of agriculture. What she didn’t expect was that one day she would become the face of a new culinary movement in Belize—one centered around ostriches.
The Regulatory Battle That Started It All
Ostrich ranching was not originally allowed in Belize. When Nancy decided she wanted to introduce the species, she quickly found herself up against government restrictions and a long list of reasons why it couldn’t be done.
