Hello from West Central Arkansas

[pfaubush]

Hello. I've been lurking for a while, but finally decided to jump in. I took over the management of a 320 acre ranch, in September, that was left in absolute shambles. The last manager left without telling anyone. He left 92 cows with one round bale in the barn. The bale was trashed with the excrement of 40 goats and 4 abandoned dogs. Most of the equipment was stolen, and what was left is broken. I've had to replace everything from fence pounders to a quad.

My family has been homesteading on a much smaller scale for years. Many have scoffed, thinking we couldn't do it. Turns out, we've been able to do a lot with very little. I've met neighbors, knocking on doors, in desperation for hay. I've forged friendships with folks that have taken time to stop by and offer a hand or just friendly advice. It started out awful, but became a blessing to see the animals turn around, and the place come back to life.

This ranch has a long way to go, but we're headed in the right direction. I may ask what many consider stupid questions, but it's all for the benefit of the animals. Most folks have been awesome around here, but some like to treat me as if I'm out of my league. It's OK. I'm not doing this to have my ego stroked. I'm too old and too busy to care. 😂

 

[A.J.]

Welcome! It sounds like a large undertaking, and you’ve had your work cut out for you, but are making good progress! Hang in there and keep on keeping on.

 

[greybeard]

welcome. nice entranceway.

 

[Ouachita]

What part of west central Arkansas?

 

[pfaubush]

welcome. nice entranceway.

Thanks!

 

[pfaubush]

What part of west central Arkansas?

Harvey. We're on 28, between Hwy 71 and Danville

 

[Lucky]

Looks like a nice place from the pic. Sounds like you are on the right track so far. Absentee owners? Are you living on the ranch?

 

[Ouachita]

Harvey. We're on 28, between Hwy 71 and Danville

I'm 10 miles west of Mena

 

[Green Pastures]

Looks like a nice place from the pic. Sounds like you are on the right track so far. Absentee owners? Are you living on the ranch?

Congratulations to you for your great attitude! My wife and I felt the same way when we built our ranch 22 years ago and still do today. The chief disadvantage of ranching is that ranching is restrictive....a rancher can't just load the truck and be gone for days at a time. And, as you well know, ranch hands are nearlybout impossible to find and KEEP! It is still a wonderful way to make a living, or something close to it.

 

[pfaubush]

Looks like a nice place from the pic. Sounds like you are on the right track so far. Absentee owners? Are you living on the ranch?

The owners live in Texas, and only come up for vacation once a year or so. We live about three miles away, and have my daughter staying in one of the places on the ranch.

The place is beautiful. The Fouche River runs through the middle of it, and there's plenty of places to hunt and take the kids camping. We have our own personal playground at the end of every day. We're hoping those days might start ending before dark! Lol

 

[Big Creek]

Hello. I've been lurking for a while, but finally decided to jump in. I took over the management of a 320 acre ranch, in September, that was left in absolute shambles. The last manager left without telling anyone. He left 92 cows with one round bale in the barn. The bale was trashed with the excrement of 40 goats and 4 abandoned dogs. Most of the equipment was stolen, and what was left is broken. I've had to replace everything from fence pounders to a quad.

My family has been homesteading on a much smaller scale for years. Many have scoffed, thinking we couldn't do it. Turns out, we've been able to do a lot with very little. I've met neighbors, knocking on doors, in desperation for hay. I've forged friendships with folks that have taken time to stop by and offer a hand or just friendly advice. It started out awful, but became a blessing to see the animals turn around, and the place come back to life.

This ranch has a long way to go, but we're headed in the right direction. I may ask what many consider stupid questions, but it's all for the benefit of the animals. Most folks have been awesome around here, but some like to treat me as if I'm out of my league. It's OK. I'm not doing this to have my ego stroked. I'm too old and too busy to care. 😂

Good looking entrance and fences

 

[tex452]

Welcome.
I married a girl from Arkansas in 1983, and I still have her, 3 son’s and 9 grandkids.

 

[Travlr]

My family has been homesteading on a much smaller scale for years. Many have scoffed, thinking we couldn't do it. Turns out, we've been able to do a lot with very little. I've met neighbors, knocking on doors, in desperation for hay. I've forged friendships with folks that have taken time to stop by and offer a hand or just friendly advice. It started out awful, but became a blessing to see the animals turn around, and the place come back to life.
😂

That paragraph says a lot. Doing a lot with little is the way it's done.

 

[Farm Family]

That paragraph says a lot. Doing a lot with little is the way it's done.

Could not agree more. 😊

 

[coachg]

Welcome to the forum ! Sounds like you’ve righted the ship and have it going in the right direction . Good luck and hang in there !

 

[StrojanHerefords]

If I may ask what kind of arraignment do you have? I have learnt the hard way not to improve a place only to get pushed out.

 

[UDF]

Welcome to the site ....
Slow and steady ,gets it done ...
What a lovely gate..
No questions are silly .. It's the only way one can learn..

 

[greybeard]

If I may ask what kind of arraignment do you have? I have learnt the hard way not to improve a place only to get pushed out.

It happens, and too often. Most of us have btdt at least once with leases. Need some pretty tight WRITTEN agreements and even then it's iffy.