Navy Veteran Eric Ranger holds some of his hay that won blue ribbons at a county fair in the state of Washington.
Navy Veteran Eric Ranger has produced award-winning hay on his 20-acre farm in Washington, even though he once envisioned the land as a possible golf driving range.
“An opportunity arose in 2021 to purchase a 20-acre farm across the street from our home, and we were fortunate enough to get it.” Ranger said. “My initial vision for the property was to make it a golf driving range. However, during our first two years at the farm we saw two haying seasons in which we were disappointed in the contract hayman’s performance and quality.”
So he and his wife, Lydia, changed that plan.
“Consequently, my wife and I put together a plan that scrapped the driving range idea and focused on keeping the land in its agricultural status,” he said.
The La Crosse, Wisconsin native became a full-time farmer in 2023. Ranger graduated from the Naval Academy in 2004, and eventually became a surface warfare officer and nuclear engineering officer.
He resigned his commission in 2009 and worked in the commercial HVAC industry until 2023 when he pivoted to farming full time.
At Barn Owl Farm, they grow local grass hay. They also have four dairy cows and many chickens on the property.
Fellowship Fund
Ranger applied for the Fellowship Fund and received a grant from AgWest Farm Credit, which enabled them to replace an old hay elevator.
“We had a heavily used 40-plus-year-old hay elevator that was in need of some significant welding and electrical repairs,” he explained. “The elevator is a critical component on our farm, as it gets the 45 tons of hay we make from ground level into our hay loft under cover.
“With the grant money, we were able to purchase a new hay elevator that not only improved efficiency, but safety as well due to proper shielding around the pulleys and gears.
A Fellowship Fund grant from AgWest Farm Credit enabled Eric Ranger to buy a hay elevator, replacing an older version that needed significant repairs. The elevator makes it easier and safer to put hay up in his barn loft.
“This new hay elevator also allows me to stack hay higher in our storage area with less wear and tear on my back. The grant also helped us purchase a new 3-point frame for our used mower, as it had been severely bent and cracked over its 20-plus years of life.”
He said he’s enjoyed learning the mechanical skills needed to operate the farm.
“Professional repairs are too expensive, so I have had to learn a completely new discipline to keep the machinery in good working order,” Ranger said. “I also enjoy the connection to nature and the experiences the farm provides for my family and me.”
Pride in His Farm
Ranger added that he takes pride in operating a regenerative farm.
“We grow herbicide/pesticide-free local grass hay and have seen a growing demand for this type of product,” he said. “We focus on soil nutrient balance using old-fashioned green manuring into the pastures, rotational grazing, and pulling all noxious weeds by hand.
“Although it requires significantly more manpower to accomplish this, we are proud to protect the animals, our land, watersheds, and ecosystems from harsh chemicals. Bravo to the many other Veteran farmers out there who continue to have a positive impact on our country!”
