About
the Ranch
Music Meadows Ranch is 3,800 acres of grazing land bordering the National Forest and other ranches. About 400 acres is irrigable meadow land via flood irrigation, coverage depending on winter snowpack supply. No haying operation. We use horses to handle the livestock, ATV or pickup for other duties, and a tractor. My parents bought the ranch in 1968 (I was 8 years old) and operated it with the help of a rancher/neighbor to run yearlings from May-September. It is now owned by the whole family (mom and day passed away) and I lease it from the Family Ranch LLC. Check out our website here.
More Story
Regenerative Practices
Adaptive grazing via poly fencing and planning to incorporate virtual fencing. We subdivide pastures using a poly electric fence and some high-tensile wire fence.
Tour
the Ranch
The Mentor
Elin Parker Ganschow
I was raised, 5th of 6 kids to a family in Eastern Colorado and grew up in ranching and farming, although I never took an interest in farming. It was a yearling operation. I got a degree from Colorado State University in Animal Science with an emphasis on Ag business and production. I married into a cow/calf and hay operation and raised two sons and two daughters who all became ranchers as adults but are not operating Music Meadows. I started a grass-finished beef direct to consumer business in 1995 thenfollowing divorce rebranded it in 2010 and operate it today. I am happily re-married for 15 years now. I operated a guest venue starting in 1995 (day ride “city slickers” concept) eventually operating a private immersive working ranch vacation week at the ranch the past several years, but closing that down last fall. I am good with horses, learning “the method” for training from Clinton Anderson, hosting clinics with his certified trainers and utilizing his program for myself and those who worked at the ranch. Philosophy is: life is growth – for the plants, animals, humans. If we are not growing we are dying… mentally, spiritually, physically along with all we touch and interact with.
The Duties Of
The Apprentice
What will an apprentice do?
What skills and traits are required?
What skills will an apprentice acquire?
Nuts & Bolts
More Details
Living on the Ranch
Town Information
The nearest town is Westcliffe-Silver Cliff, with a population of 1,300, and there is a grocery store there. The town has a fitness center, restaurants, banks, schools, churches, art galleries, gift shops, museums, bars, music festivals, PRCA Rodeo and county fair, parades, dances, local newspapers, and a public library. Social activities that the apprentice might be interested in are church/bible study, saddle club, 4th of July celebration and dance, rodeo and dances, bluegrass festival, and car show. The nearest large airport is 80 miles away.
Housing
No one else lives at the ranch, so the apprentice will be there alone at the end of the day. Apprentice will be housed in the vacant ranch house – 3 bedroom, 2 bath house most of the time. However, the house is dedicated for periodic use by friends or family members for a short stay from out of town and for select ranch guests back by invitation only such as Operation Equine for a week (mentioned above). In those instances, the apprentice will reside in one of three options: a tipi comfortably outfitted with electricity, camp stove, cot and necessities OR a neighbor’s very nice vacant cabin three miles from headquarters on lease land with no indoor plumbing and a solar generator OR the guest room with full bath at my home. This would occur not over 10 times throughout the season.
Laundry
Washer dryer in ranch house for the apprentice.
Internet Service
Hot Spot to phone for internet OR my home OR coffee shop, Or library in town.
Cell Service
Top Cell Providers in Westcliffe
The ranch uses cell phones to communicate. Earphones are not allowed while operating machinery, but allowed while fencing alone, they can only use one earbud, and they must be able to hear their surroundings
Visitors
Occasional visitors are welcome for not over a week unless a pre-arranged exception. Acontribution to the ranch house upkeep fund is appreciated in whatever amount the house guest is able to gift, or doing a chore to contribute to the upkeep.
Food
Dinner at my home weekly. Beef as often as desired. I will pick up requested items while doing my own shopping i.e. Costco, Natural Grocers (monthly in Colorado Springs), Local Farm Market, Local Store. We buy many things bulk so it’s easy to bag up a bit of this or that. Any List App makes this super easy to communicate. Many days, I will bring lunch for both of us from home as I batch cook regularly.
Pets
I would permit a horse only. No dog or cat.
Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol
I permit discreet use of chewing tobacco during the day but not smoking or vape. Cannabis or alcohol in moderation off duty is permitted.
Firearms
Yes, they are allowed. Hunters safety certificate and conceal carry permit or other certification of instruction. Communication and planning regarding use of guns for target practice, prairie dogs, or coyote hunting. Talk through a plan for where and how to keep it (them).
Vehicle Info
Ranch Vehicles
The apprentice should not plan on having to drive a vehicle with a standard transmission.
Personal Vehicles
The apprentice will need the flexibility of his or her own vehicle in order to run personal errands such as purchasing groceries and traveling on days off.
Work Hours / Time Off
Working Hours
Generally 9 hour days including an hour lunch break, Tuesday – Saturday. Keep a journal for review, reflection and adjustments. Some days may be longer but we can then check out earlier on another less demanding day.Time Off
Sunday/Monday normally off. Holidays such as Independence Day, Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Easter off.
Health Insurance
Explore
Apprentice Stories
Check out past apprentices and what they have to say about their experience.