“ I sometimes pinch myself. It's hard. Ranching isn't easy. It's not easy and I don't want to give that impression, but to get to do what you love so much and are so passionate about it…”
Laura Hicks started ranching at 19, building from nothing alongside her husband Mike in South Dakota. They went from running others' cattle to developing their own herd while raising two sons who now ranch with them. Through health battles, tough seasons, and the challenges of passing down the operation, Laura's story shows how faith, grit, and family can build something lasting. Her journey from a two-room house with no running water to a successful multi-generational ranch proves that success comes in many forms.
Key Topics:
Starting from scratch at age 19 and building a ranch with no initial land or cattle
Raising kids while ranching - managing safety and developing work ethic
Herd development through replacement heifers and improving cattle temperament
Multi-generational transition - bringing sons into the operation
Diversification through sheep operation
Managing health challenges as a ranch family
Balancing ranch life with other pursuits (writing books, dog trials)
Homeschooling while ranching
Role of faith and community in ranch success
To connect with Laura and learn more about her story, visit her website or find her on Instagram and Facebook.
LINKS
Marketing Routine class, do so here!
Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.
Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart
I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.
Other Episodes You May Enjoy:
Episode 68: Getting Started with Stockdogs
Episode 54: Growing a Heritage Sheep Operation in California
Episode 34: Irons in the Fire with Ranch Mom Jesse Thompson
About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright:
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture.
Popular Podcasts
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.