farm walks 2023

Lazy r ranch

Cheney, WA

Agroforestry and Livestock Mortality Composting

The Lazy R Ranch is nestled in the channeled scablands ponderosa forest and rich sub irrigated meadows of the West Plains, just west of Spokane, WA. The ranch is part of the ancestral homeland of the Spokane Tribe. Today the Spokane Tribe lives on 159,000 acres in Wellpinit, Washington, and continues to contribute to the larger community of Spokane, Washington. The Spokane Tribe seeks to preserve, protect, manage and enhance the long-term sustainability of the natural resources for present and future generations through an interdisciplinary process by developing and implementing best management practices.

After losing their small farm in Endicott, WA during the Great Depression, Earl, Louella, their three children, and their small herd of milk cows established the Lazy R Ranch in 1937. In 1950, their son Gene purchased the ranch and happily converted from milk cows to beef. Then, in 1981, Gene's son, Maurice moved back home to the ranch in 1981, and he and his wife, Ellen, put their savings into 20 heifers. Today the four generation ranch is operated together by Maurice and his oldest daughter, Beth. None of this would have been possible without the tireless work of the many strong women who have helped work the ranch, whether feeding harvest crews, working a town job to keep things afloat, or involved hands-on in day to day management.

Using a process called planned grazing, Lazy R puts animals at the right place, at the right time, for the right reasons, mimicking natural processes. Grasslands developed in symbiosis with large herds of ruminants, and in nature, the moisture and bacteria that exist in the rumen of grazing animals is essential to the breakdown and cycling of nutrients. By timing when and where their herd is, they build topsoil and invigorate grass growth, which sequesters carbon. Lazy R has have tripled organic soil carbon since 1996. Alongside caring for the land, Lazy R has cultivated loyal direct market customers who value their management practices and the quality of their 100% grass fed beef and lamb. Animals are pre-sold prior to processing.

This Farm Walk is supported by:

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP)

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) competitive award no. 2022-68006- 37269 from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA).