Flying W Ranch

17/12/2024

Another auction is in the books and I just want to remind every one you of how grateful we are that all of you believe in this little show of ours, and in what we are trying to do. You all make this magic happen for us EVERY. YEAR. You’d think at some point it would stop bringing me to tears, but it still hasn’t yet.

It seems like most ideas reach a point where they play out. As the idea gains traction, the ideology becomes commodified and sold. Thank you to all of the donors, buyers, and supporters—past, present, and future—for ensuring that we don’t have to do that.

We know this idea has become lucrative in the Yellowstone age. People have tried to get us to sell it out. People have criticized us for not doing so. People have attempted and are attempting to replicate what we do for profit, shamelessly so. It never hits the same. What makes this show so special is also what holds it back in the eyes of many folks out in the world: it’s not about money. It’s about giving back. It’s about acknowledging this community, acknowledging the sacrifices we all make to live this way, acknowledging that exploiting this way of life to sell tickets or products or TV shows is bu****it, and acknowledging that tradition, truth in story, and authenticity in art still matter. We aren’t commodifying this because, in our eyes, The West isn’t for sale.

The future is coming at us quickly. The lines are blurring on what the definition of the word “cowboy” actually is, but we haven’t forgotten. It’s a job. The best damn job in the world as far as we are concerned. But it’s a job. It’s not just a mindset. It’s not a fashion trend. It’s not something you dress up as on the weekend to impress your friends. It is as much a verb as it is a noun, maybe more so. It is a life built upon tradition, handiwork, and the relationship between earth, man, and animal that is foundational to our existence—but it is also home to one of the greatest skill-to-pay disparities in our 1st world nation, and the better you are at this job, the more likely you are to make much less than what your skillset, training, capabilities, and knowledge should infer. Until a person understands what it takes to live this way, they typically cannot understand why any of this matters to any of us. This thing we are doing still hasn’t played out because some of you out there understand. Some of you care—and that is a powerful thing.

Thank you from the very bottom of our hearts. There are no words for the amount of gratitude we feel, yet again. We are doing everything in our power to create meaningful experiences for this community and to give it the support it deserves. As we continue on, we hope you all know how valuable you are to us, and the purpose and meaning you give to what we are doing. Thank you so very much.

Long live cowboys. 🖤

17/12/2024

Another auction is in the books and I just want to remind every one you of how grateful we are that all of you believe in this little show of ours, and in what we are trying to do. You all make this magic happen for us EVERY. YEAR. You’d think at some point it would stop bringing me to tears, but it still hasn’t yet.

It seems like most ideas reach a point where they play out. As the idea gains traction, the ideology becomes commodified and sold. Thank you to all of the donors, buyers, and supporters—past, present, and future—for ensuring that we don’t have to do that.

We realize this idea has become lucrative in the Yellowstone age. People have tried to get us to sell it out. People have criticized us for not doing so. People have attempted and are attempting to replicate what we do for profit, shamelessly so. It never hits the same. What makes this show so special is also what holds it back in the eyes of many folks out in the world: it’s not about money. It’s about giving back. It’s about acknowledging this community, acknowledging the sacrifices we all make to live this way, acknowledging that exploiting this way of life to sell tickets or products or TV shows is bu****it, and acknowledging that tradition, truth in story, and authenticity in art still matter. We aren’t commodifying this because, in our eyes, The West isn’t for sale.

The future is coming at us quickly. The lines are blurring on what the definition of the word “cowboy” actually is, but we haven’t forgotten. It’s a job. The best damn job in the world as far as we are concerned. But it’s a job. It’s not just a mindset. It’s not a fashion trend. It’s not something you dress up as on the weekend to impress your friends. It is as much a verb as it is a noun, maybe more so. It is a life built upon tradition, handiwork, and the relationship between earth, man, and animal that is foundational to our existence—but it is also home to one of the greatest skill-to-pay disparities in our 1st world nation, and the better you are at this job, the more likely you are to make much less than what your skillset, training, capabilities, and knowledge should infer. Until a person understands what it takes to live this way, they typically cannot understand why any of this matters to any of us. This thing we are doing still hasn’t played out because some of you out there understand. Some of you care—and that is a powerful thing.

Thank you from the very bottom of our hearts. There are no words for the amount of gratitude we feel, yet again. We are doing everything in our power to create meaningful experiences for this community and to give it the support it deserves. As we continue on, we hope you all know how valuable you are to us, and the purpose and meaning you give to what we are doing. Thank you so very much.

Long live cowboys. 🖤

13/12/2024

✩✩✩PHIL EPP PRINT “RYAN STOCK PENS”✩✩✩

Approximately 4x5”. Hand inked and printed from a scratched zinc plate. These loading pens are were located outside of Marfa, Texas. The print is not numbered but from an edition of 25 total.

Artist: Phil Epp

Cowboy Artists of America artist, Phil Epp, is one of our favorite western artists. Phil is a genuinely kind man with a unique style. He’s known for his bold, colorful takes on The West, as well as his simple, thoughtful vignettes of every day life on the ranch. We are honored to have Phil’s work included in this year’s auction.

Starting bid: $195

17/09/2024

07/09/2024

02/09/2024

Check out this month’s New Agrarian Newsletter! We hear from the New Agrarian Program’s Holly Napier on the power of observation.

“The skill of observation is deeply rooted in regenerative agriculture. As farmers, ranchers, and stewards of the land, we observe the soil’s ground cover, what plants our livestock are eating and when they are eating them, the effects large rain events and droughts have on the land and the forage. We can challenge ourselves by observing natural patterns and mimicking nature in our operations. These observations shape our understanding of the ecological systems surrounding us and help us make wise decisions in caring for the land, animals, and ourselves.”

http://quiviracoalition-20216266.hs-sites.com/nap-2024-august

23/08/2024

Update.
All of our 2024 beef is SOLD! THANK YOU to all of our customers!!
Attention Split H beef customers!
If you haven't contacted us to RSVP your 2024 half or whole beef please do so soon.
We have less than FIVE beef left that haven't been spoken for!
Thank you all for your continued business.
Gregg and Kristy

25/07/2024

24/07/2024

The countdown is on... We are just 3 days away from our Day of the Cowboy Celebration!

From 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Saturday, come relax in the shade by the barn, enjoy homemade ice-cream and cherry sorbet, and sing along with Jeff and Annie as they sing some old-time cowboy songs! We will have chairs available, but please bring your own chair if you'd like!

RSVPs through call or text to 620-753-3484 are suggested but are not required.
We hope to see you on Saturday!

https://www.facebook.com/share/hLL7TaU7oZfMT5CS/

12/07/2024

RTK is happy to announce that our collaboration with Mark Feiden’s Emil Redmon’s Cow project is complete! Go to www.RedmonsCow.org and scroll until you see the RTK logo.

Here you will find the Grassland Conservation Series—four longer interviews with Glenn Walker, Matt and Tom Perrier, Bill Sproul, and Heather Fuesz and Irlene Huntington. You will also find a handful of short clips on a variety of entertaining topics. And of course we’ll have bits and pieces of this on social media over the weeks to come!

It was an honor for RTK to be a part of this project and to work with these families. We hope you enjoy their insights as much as we enjoyed collecting them.

05/07/2024

Pioneer Bluffs has a new Operations Director!

Sammy Jo Peterson has been named the first Operations Director of this nonprofit, historical Flint Hills ranch.

“We have gone through an exhaustive search and are excited to have Sammy Jo’s enthusiasm, knowledge of agriculture, community relationships, and eagerness,” said Nancy Mattke, Board President. “She will do great in spreading our mission to preserve and share Flint Hills ranching heritage.”

As a Chase County native, Peterson has been immersed in the agriculture of the Flint Hills from an early age. Her upbringing consists of backgrounding thousands of cattle in pens throughout the winter and on grass during the summer. She has spent most of her life on horseback checking cattle in pastures - including doctoring sick ones, putting mineral out, fixing fence, and maintaining the health of the prairie.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to take on this new role at Pioneer Bluffs,” Peterson said. “Since graduating college and moving back, I have been searching for my “place” in this community that has always been my home – and I have found it.”

Peterson decided to return to her roots after playing collegiate basketball for five years at Tabor College. After graduating from Tabor in 2023 with a Masters in Business Administration, she was named the Assistant Coach for the girls’ basketball team at Chase County High School. Peterson has also served as an Outrider at the Symphony in the Flint Hills Signature Event for seven years.

“Back in 2010, I had the privilege of speaking to the Kansas House of Representatives in order to help name Little Bluestem as the state grass of Kansas,” Peterson said. “Little did I know that I would be in a position now to be able to continue spread the knowledge of agriculture, the importance of the Flint Hills, and the mission of Pioneer Bluffs to preserve the ranching heritage.”

Peterson will be at Pioneer Bluffs most weekdays and weekend events. Visitors are invited to stop in and get to know her. She can be reached at 620-753-3484 (call or text) or [email protected].