From Chicago Suburbanites to "Temporary Ranchers"... who coulda thunk!?

 

When we made the decision to become digital nomads four years ago and journey across the country as "temporary locals" house/pet sitting, we never could have anticipated staying on a working ranch in the Sandhills of Nebraska!

And yet here we are... complete with Jer in a rancher hat and and Phyl with a pair cowgirl boots (yes the real deal - first for her!).  And while we've adopted the term "temporary ranchers"... the ranch manager and staff are actually the ones who care for the cattle, pastures, alfalfa and corn fields, and farm equipment.  And... we do have some actual ranch chores - taking care of Bella (or more appropriately she's the one taking care of us city slickers!) as well the homeowners' spacious solid log home.   

This has been a very unique experience for us in that we were able to observe ranch life first hand, thanks to the wonderful and patient ranch manager who was willing to allow us to shadow some of the vast responsibilities that ranching requires. Jer even got to ride shotgun in the Swather (for you city folk that's a farm tractor that cuts alfalfa). We observed 300 head of calves being delivered from the auction house (and Phyllis even received an official cattle hauler cap from a third generation trucker).  We were toured out onto the pastures where the cattle graze by rotation and also observed the science of mixing feed for the herd.  

From a business perspective, it truly was an enlightening and complex set of dynamics that are constantly in flux and need to be adjusted based on weather conditions, market prices, health of the herd etc.  Jer now has a much deeper appreciation for what it takes for that bone-in rib to make it's way onto his plate for dinner!

What also struck us about ranch life was the vast array of related businesses that serve the industry... from fertilizer to feed trucks... and let's not forget about the attire... we both have far more appreciation for cowboy boots and hats!

Getting to have all these expansive experiences on the range...we are blessed!