Originally Written for Nevada Rancher Magazine
Recently the ranch we managed sold. It was a hard transition and one we did not want to take. We had lived on that ranch for thirteen years. Our family had grown up there. We became part of a community of ranchers, often working together, sharing a meal around the pens, and attending each other’s get togethers. When it came to moving, it was the last thing I wanted to do. I guess you could say, I imagined I would be at this place until I pushed up daisies. This place had been a family owned ranch for many years and it shocked us when they actually put it on the market. It shocked us even more when they accepted an offer.
From this point, we looked at some ranch jobs close to our small isolated community. Yes, there were a few available, but none that suited one of our biggest goals, continuing our position at the cowboy church. The entire reason we moved here was for my husband to be the pastor. These ranch job provided little flexibility or there was no housing available.
Thus, we began to look for a rental. The rental we chose was a few miles out of town, where we could keep our horses. This is hard to find these days…believe me….if you’ve looked recently, you know exactly what I’m talking about. We were shown a place, I will call it “accidental” but actually we know it was the Lord. We were able to stay in our community and also stay at the cowboy church. Praise God!
We all know ranching isn’t a high paying job but we do it because we love the life. Sometimes we have to find side gigs to make extra cash or find new ways to market our products. Some of my friends are finding great ways to sell beef to the public, I have other friends that have taken a “town job” to supplement their income. Town jobs come in all shaped and sizes, ranging from, working their own hours, to a few times a week, to full time positions. Some ranch women are self employed, others are employees, but the point is they do it to help keep their family in ranching. They may drive everyday to work or may even work out of their homes, due largely to the cost of goods in our current economy.
I admire all my ranch women friends no matter what they do, they are hard workers to the core, the ones working daily on the ranch and those who make the trip to town. For many years I have worked alongside my husband both in ministry and on the places we managed. Thankfully, side hustles have helped us make extra income. Today, I wanted to give ranch wives some ideas if they are finding the squeezed budget is looking like a lemon without any juice left. Can I, or my husband and I find additional streams of income and still hold onto ranching? This article is intended to help in that area, if necessary.
Ideas that could provide extra income
- Are you able to sell local beef in your area? Some of our friends started taking orders, pretty soon the word spread. Their beef is grass fed, not organic, which help with the complicated “organic” label. They take their steers to a processor and cuts of beef are personalized according to the buyer’s needs. Farmer’s markets are another source for selling beef. We have friends in Louisiana that sell their beef this way. She loads up the coolers, kids, and a small grill to provide samples. She has found her niche and it has been an additional source of income for their family. The kids are involved in the process as well, mentored in ag business from hoof to table.
- If you are a manager and not a ranch owner, you may be shipping steers in the fall to a large producer. In this case you can’t make the decision to sell locally, unless the owner agrees and is willing to give it a whirl. Ask yourself, “Is there anything I can do within our limits here at the ranch?” What about fresh milk, eggs, produce or any other agriculture related means of revenue? These options are hugely popular right now, as many are seeking fresh farm or ranch raised options.
- Do you have a skill that is marketable? Are you a computer wiz? Are you a photographer? How about writing? All these can be done from home. A horseback photographer is a huge benefit to be along side a crew in the pasture, but even if you’ve not horseback, you can capture special moments for any special occasion. Same goes for computer work, whether you are repairing them or doing bookkeeping, social media manager, or web designer. Do you write? Start with social media, it has opened opportunities in my own life. Through writing on my website and posting on Instagram and Facebook, I can work beside my husband and write on the side.
- What about other sources? I have ranch women friends that are hair dressers, they work on scheduled days, planning out their town days, so they can work a few days a week.
- Are you a good cook? How about cooking for seasonal hunting camps? You could even recruit a few girlfriends to share the work. Dove, deer, elk, and quail hunts range from a weekend to a season, providing income from the host ranch and tips from hunters.
- Could you provide a mobile ranch sitting service? Yes, another friend of mine does this. Y’all know how hard it is to leave the ranch. Ranchers hesitate going anywhere! You could be the one to jump in and lend assistance. She takes her and goes a day early. She gets a list of chores, instructions on that pesky water valve, locates feed and schedules, all before the rancher leaves and stays until they return.
- Are you crafty? Can you repair tack or saddles, make leather projects to produce, tie strings, leggins, boots, jewelry? This might be the avenue for you.
- Are you a teacher? Or homeschool mom? You can help others navigate through tough subjects or find curriculum that suits their needs and make money doing it.
- Perhaps you can teach a skill through YouTube. What advice do others seek from you? Did you know yours knowledge is valuable? Do some free videos or snippets, then offer a class or a course.
- Are you good at finding and repurposing furniture for the ranch house? Most ranch women are good at thrift shopping. Why not sell your refinished finds on Ebay or Etsy. Etsy has numerous handmade items, definitely a good source for ideas.
- Have you overcome an obstacle? You can help others and earn money doing it by becoming a coach in that particular area. This can be anything from weight loss to finances.
There are many families struggling to purchase groceries, pay rent, or meet their needs. It might be a good time to find extra income to help get through a rough time, or to spark a new interest, especially for those of us in agriculture.
I don’t know your current situation but I know we serve a mighty God. Yes, He has given us the good sense to use our minds. He has made us to work. Maybe for you, it might be as simple as reigning in the spending and getting on a budget but for others it may be a whole lot more than that. God is our help, He is our provider and promises to be with us no matter what we are going through. If you are in a tough spot right now, I want to leave you with a few verses.
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Heb. 13:6
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you
1 Peter 5:7
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Duet. 31:8
No matter what, we are never without hope. Get in His word, use your mind, watch your thoughts! Follow the next step God shows you and if that way is to supplement your income, I hope this helps.
Thank you for reading,
The Cowboy Pastor’s Wife
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