About
the Ranch
Music Meadows Ranch consists of 4,000 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. The elevation is from 8,000 to 9,000 feet above sea level. There is no haying operation. We use horses to handle the livestock and an ATV or pickup for other duties along with a tractor. My parents bought the ranch in 1968 and operated it with the help of a rancher/neighbor to run yearlings from
May-September. It is now owned by the heirs, and I operate the ranch through a lease. Check out our website here.
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Regenerative Practices
Since 2008 the ranch has received increasing levels of managed grazing providing increasing levels of impact and rest. This has been achieved by using a poly braid electric fencing. My skill set and knowledge on this has increased over that period of time through workshops, our NRCS range agents, online soils and adaptive grazing courses through Understanding Ag LLC, and of course through practice. I will implement a virtual fence practice this year with Halter.
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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, closed for a period of time then rebranded and started up again in 2010. I have been happily married for 16 years now. I have some skill with horses. After using and enjoying horses in many ways, I learned “the method” of training from Clinton Anderson, hosting clinics with his certified trainers and utilizing his program for myself and those who worked at the ranch. My 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?
- April: Alternating winter and spring-like weather will dictate the work day to day. Possibilities include the following: Check cows, keep salt and tubs in front of them and feed them if a storm demands it; Organize shop, barn – indoor chores/projects – burn slash; Grazing planning via online tools; Start irrigation.
- May: Flood irrigation as long as water is available using tractor, ditcher, shovel, plastic dams, pipeline, gated pipe; Start livestock water tanks: 11 tanks supplied by combo of electric pump, solar pump, springs; Manage grazing using Halter virtual fence; Repair barbed wire fence; Cows start calving; Breeding heifers arrive (other Texas daughter’s herd); Beef cattle arrived: brand, preg check, collect blood for DNA tenderness test; Salt cattle.
- June: Fencing, calving, cattle care, manage grazing, salt; Irrigate (if available); Clean and oil horse tack
- July: Irrigate (if available); Parker family reunion (my family); Prepare borrowed horses for upcoming Operation Equine week at the ranch; Grass Fats to packer; Manage grazing, fencing, cattle care, salt.
- August: Host Operation Equine (week for veterans); Manage grazing, cattle care, salt; Grass Fats to packer; Brand calves.
- September: Apprentice solo (with backup helpers) while Elin goes on a trip; Manage grazing, cattle care, salt; Grass Fats to packer.
- October: Grass Fats to packer; Ship bred heifer: preg check; Manage grazing, cattle care, salt; Fall Cow Work (vaccinate calves, preg check dry cows and replacement heifers), Drain water lines; Winterize irrigation pipeline; Clean irrigation ditches with tractor to be ready for next spring
What skills and traits are required?
- Honest
- Industrious
- Physically fit
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solver
- Observant
- Proactive
- At ease working alone
- Willing to learn horsemanship
- Willing to learn ATV use
- Record keeping
What skills will an apprentice acquire?
Nuts & Bolts
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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
A camper trailer will be home for the apprentice. If the apprentice has their own camper trailer they may bring it and use it instead and retain the housing fee of $125/week. No one resides at the ranch and the nearest neighbor is a couple of miles away. I live nine miles away. The ranch house is for occasional use by family or for other events I host. The apprentice may enjoy and use the house for laundry, showers, relaxing, cooking at times, but not move into it and keep it in clean condition.
Laundry
Washer dryer in ranch house for the apprentice. Laundry supplies are provided.
Internet Service
Starlink
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 a number of days and may stay in the ranch house if prearranged. Guests may make contributions to defray overhead in whatever amount they wish.
Food
Access to ranch beef as a benefit. I am happy to pick up items for my apprentice when shopping in the city, however these are to be reimbursed.
Pets
I would consider a dog depending on a number of factors.
Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol
I permit discreet use of chewing tobacco during the day but not smoking or vape. Cannabis edibles 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
The 30 to 40 hour work week schedule will be fluid with variations to accommodate weather, projects, events and demands of a particular season as well as the needs of the apprentice. Sundays are normally a day off plus one additional day that suits the apprentice. A 32 hour work week may be structured into either four or five days depending on the needs of the ranch. Some days may be longer due to the project at hand but can then be offset on another less demanding day.Time Off
Sunday plus another day of choice 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.
- 2026 Apprentices, Frontier Ranch Management, Music Meadows Ranch, New Agrarian Blog