May 2025 vol. 1
It has been an exhausting yet incredibly rewarding month for us. On April 26th, we hosted our daughter Katelyn’s wedding reception at the ranch, followed by our annual farm tour the very next weekend.
This was a deliberate decision to capitalize on some overlapping resources, such as the tent and port-a-johns, as well as to only have to clean and prepare once for both events. While I’m sure it saved us both time and money, it certainly made for a grueling few months of preparation.
For the reception, we welcomed about 80 friends and family who traveled from across the country to celebrate the union of our daughter Katelyn with her beloved Trace (Thomas). For many, it was their first visit to the ranch, while those returning were amazed by the progress we’ve made over the years since their last visit. It’s refreshing to gain a new perspective, reminding us just how far we’ve come over time.
For the farm tour, we had around 80 customers (along with some curious locals) join us for a full day of food and fun. We divided into two groups: one half rode with Molly on a hayride around the perimeter, learning about soil, water, and cattle, while the other half joined me for an intensive tour focusing on chickens, pigs, and sheep. Afterward, we switched groups and repeated the experience.
In addition to games and good times, we hosted an ongoing presentation by Be Salty discussing apiculture and the many benefits of bees and their bounty. We capped off the evening with a full banquet with meats raised right here at the ranch.
We truly enjoy educating people about how we raise our animals and the value they add to the land, but the real joy comes from watching children interact with the animals. They had the opportunity to hold baby chicks, collect eggs, play on bulldozers and tractors, make friends with our livestock guardian dogs, and learn about bees. The joy on their faces was priceless, and it was heartwarming to see them running freely and having fun.
We typically hold the farm tour at the end of April, so mark your calendars for next year—you won’t want to miss it!
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