Rural Appreciation 2012: Ferguson Ranch

Walter Ferguson III presented a history of the 135 year old Ferguson Ranch located 25 miles West of Cheyenne near Crystal Lake Rd.  Walt traced the family history in establishing the ranch  more than a 100 years ago.  The Ranch is primarily a Beef Cattle ranch raising Registered Angus Cattle.  Horses have been raised more or less over the years depending on the demand for them.  He talked of the early years  and the hardships of living in a log cabin with no bathrooms, running water or electricity.  Just a wood burning stove and kerosene light. Walt recalled the blizzard of 1949 that left much of the western states paralyzed because of high winds and snow drifts. Walter  recalled the ranch suffered a major set back when a tornado  devastated the entire purebred cattle herd.

The family has been active in 4-H and FFA over the years with picture of prize winning animals and the trophies received.  Walt and his brother Chuck both received the FFA’s  American Farmer Degree which is the highest award given by the organization.

A recent development at the ranch is the new Willowbend Foundation. It is a large indoor facility with a riding arena inside.  They have about 10 miniature ponies and they are used to help others with physiological issues.  This grew out of Walt’s dad ( also named Walt) wanted to build a church camp at the ranch.  He did not live long enough to see it built, but his son Walt and wife Kimberly have developed a great program called Hoofprints of Hope, there at the ranch to reach out and help others.