Growing A Ranch ...and Growing Along with it

What are you afraid of?

Maybe it's taking on a new job, learning a new skill, or stepping into a responsibility you never expected to carry. Sometimes life has a way of handing us challenges we never would have chosen.

I understand.

A few years ago, I went from being a wife and mom to becoming the general manager, breadwinner, rancher, marketer...and the one responsible for making it all work. Some days it still feels overwhelming.

Have you ever started something only to discover there was so much more to it than you ever imagined?

Writing this blog is one example for me. This is only my seventh post, even though I planned to write one every month. I'm behind, but I'm still showing up. Progress isn't always perfect, and sometimes you have to just do it.

The same has been true of building Belmont Springs Ranch.

Over the last three years, I've learned far more than I ever anticipated—even though I expected there would be a lot to learn. Raising sheep was the one part I already knew. Everything else has stretched me. I've had to learn marketing, website design, social media, email newsletters, and how to tell our story without sounding like a salesperson.

Then there's the agronomic side of things.

You'd think growing grass would be the easy part, right? Wrong. Not when your pasture was once an old wheat field overrun with weeds—and you're farming dryland during a dry year—you quickly realize there's a lot to learn. Producing enough quality forage for a growing flock takes patience, planning, and plenty of prayer.

Of course, livestock have a way of keeping you on your toes, too.

Most days they're easy to care for...until they're not. Sheep decide the grass is greener on the neighbor's place. Ewes choose the middle of the night to lamb. Sometimes you're loading one into the truck for an emergency trip to the veterinarian instead of getting a full night's sleep.

That's ranch life. At least, at our ranch. 😏

When I stop and look back, though, I'm amazed at how much we've accomplished. There's still an endless list of things to do, but we've come much farther than I sometimes give us credit for.

One of the biggest milestones this year has been joining the farmers market in Red Lodge. We've loved meeting customers face-to-face, introducing people to our lamb, and finally seeing a return on all the work that's gone into building this place.

Were we nervous?

Absolutely. We still are. Every single market. 😉

Did we know exactly what we were doing?

Not even close.

But every market teaches us something new and gives us a little more confidence—not just in ourselves, but in the quality of the products we're raising.

Another project I'm especially excited about is earning our Cottage Food License so I can offer my own spice blends alongside our lamb. This was something Steve talked about often before he passed away, so bringing that dream to life just feels right.

Our hope is that the spice blends will make cooking lamb feel less intimidating and help more folks discover just how simple—and delicious—it can be.

We're also expanding into pasture-raised chickens. We've raised chickens for our own family for years and have occasionally offered them to friends. This fall we'll start with a small batch, work the bugs out, and get ready to expand next spring.

Another exciting addition to the ranch is a family milk cow. We've been blessed with the opportunity to add an A2A2 dairy cow, along with all the necessary equipment. If all goes according to plan, we'll be offering fresh A2A2 milk later this summer or early fall.

Then there are our Great Pyrenees livestock guardian dogs. They do a wonderful job protecting our livestock from predators, and honestly, we couldn't ranch here without them. Every so often we have puppies available, and it's been rewarding to place them with families and ranches in several different states. Like everything else on the ranch, raising these gentle giants has been another learning experience.

I'm also exploring the possibility of shipping our lamb. Friends and family across the country have asked if we'll ship, and while frozen meat presents some logistical challenges, we're researching ways to make it happen.

The truth is, Belmont Springs Ranch is still growing.

We're experimenting. We're learning. We're making mistakes. We're celebrating small victories. And through it all, we're trusting in Divine Providence to help us, one step at a time.

Looking back, I realize that the things that scared me the most have often become the things that have helped me grow the most. It's expanding my horizons.

Maybe that's true for you, too.

Thank you for following along on this journey. Whether you've purchased lamb, stopped by our booth at the farmers market, welcomed one of our Great Pyrenees puppies into your family, shared one of my posts, or simply encouraged us along the way, you've become part of our story.

I'm grateful you're here.

Here's to learning new things—even when they're hard.