THE HEART BEHIND LAREE RANCH
Hey there, friend! Welcome to Laree Ranch, where family, faith, and farming come together to create something truly special. I’m Alivia, and alongside my husband Ryan and our wonderful boys, Ethan and Evan, we’re living our dream right here in Fort Scott, KS. Let me share a bit of our story with you.
Our Journey To the ranch
Ryan and I tied the knot back in 2013—wow, how time flies! Our family grew with the addition of our two handsome boys, Ethan and Evan, and one beautiful princess, Lillian. For years, we dreamed of starting a homestead, but life kept us busy with raising babies, managing Lillian’s medical needs, and running multiple businesses. Lillian, who required a g-tube (along with many other medical accessories) and was fed a homemade blended diet, inspired us to consider the importance of fresh, natural food, though at the time, growing it ourselves wasn’t feasible.
In a completely unexpected turn, our sweet Lillian went to heaven due to a surgeon’s error. Her passing was a wake-up call about the fragility of life and inspired us to focus on the significance of what we put into our bodies. It fueled our determination to prioritize our passion for providing the best food to ourselves and the best care to the animals who care for us, leading us to establish Laree Ranch. Now, all the love and dedication we once poured into Lillian’s care is devoted to our land and animals, making it feel as though she’s still with us in every step we take.
A day in the life
Our days start early here on the ranch. We wake up to let out the chickens and feed all the animals. After getting the boys off to school, Ryan and I dive into our respective businesses. Evenings are a special time when we all come together again to tend to the animals, handle any necessary cleanup, and perhaps enjoy an evening horseback ride. After chores, we visit Lillian’s spot to keep her headstone tidy—a cherished part of our daily routine. We end our nights with a family meal, a warm shower, cozy jammies, and bedtime stories and prayers.
OUR MOTIVATION AND VALUES
Our journey was sparked by a desire to live off the land and was deepened by Lillian’s arrival and her medical complexities. We wanted to give her the best, and now we strive to do the same for our family and community. At Laree Ranch, we believe in God’s plan for us to eat what we grow, treating the land and animals with respect and love. Everything we do is in honor of our sweet Lillian, ensuring our animals receive exceptional care.
Challenges and rewards
Our dream for Laree Ranch is to inspire others to support the land and animals, whether by buying our products or starting their own homesteads. We’re excited about our future plans, Running a ranch or homestead isn’t without its challenges. The hardest part for us is dealing with loss; it never gets easier. We love our animals and every time one goes to heaven its definitely felt deeply. But the rewards are plentiful. Providing fresh, natural food for our family, quality animals to friends, and making Jesus and Lillian proud, makes it all worthwhile. starting a mini highland herd—these cows are just too cute and sweet!
LOOKING AHEAD
Our dream for Laree Ranch is to inspire others to support the land and animals, whether by buying our products or starting their own homesteads. We’re excited about our future plans, including starting a mini highland herd—these cows are just too cute and sweet!
HEARTWARMING MEMORIES
There are countless stories from our time here, but one of my favorites is when we got our first Silkie chickens. The boys and I spent hours on the porch, snuggling them like they were little kittens. They even purr! That moment made me fall in love with the breed, and from then on, chicken math became a reality.
A MESSAGE OF LOVE AND INSPIRATION
At Laree Ranch, we want you to feel the love that permeates everything we do—love for our animals, our land, our family, and Jesus. We hope to inspire you, whether you dream of starting your own homestead or simply want to enjoy the fruits of our labor. There’s no better time than now to begin, no matter your land size or time constraints. We’re here to encourage and support you on your journey.
Thanks for stopping by and getting to know us a little better. We’re so glad to have you as part of our extended ranch family!
With love,
Alivia and the Laree Ranch Family
