For thousands of years, millions of herbivores migrated across the grasslands of the earth, spurred on by packs of predators who followed them. These creatures cut down the grasses and weeds as they fed as well as crushing and grinding the leftovers into the ground under their tremendous weight while fertilizing with their droppings. This simple act of nature fed the earthworms, fungi, and other organisms and created some of the most fertile soils on Earth.
Today we strive to mimic nature with holistically managed, pastured miniature cattle, poultry, and no till farming to improve our soils and in an effort to reverse desertification.
The food we eat has a huge effect on our bodies and our health. Healthcare costs have skyrocketed in the US and much of this can be considered a by-product of Industrial Factory Farming. Cows, pigs, chickens, and all other manner of animal are overstocked in huge feed barns and lots where they live in their own feces and urine, passing around bacteria that are getting stronger and stronger as their "caretakers" pump these animals full of hormones and antibiotics.
There is a better way...
Our livestock live outside, in nature where they belong. They are not confined to the same space day after day which allows them to avoid the pathogens one sees in Industrial farms. Our cows, goats, and sheep are followed a few days later by the chickens who will scratch through the pasture, loosening and aerating the soil. This process not only helps to sanitize the pasture but also spreads the natural fertilizer and feeds the soil biology. All of this allows us to raise our animals without antibiotics or other medications or additives and results in milk, meat and eggs which are better for you and more nutritionally dense then what you find in the store.
Experience Heals the Soul
Animals and nature tend to be very soothing, almost therapeutic for many people. We provide an opportunity for US Veterans, many of whom have seen things others cannot understand, to come and learn about our processes here. There is a healing quality to caring for other living beings, be it livestock or plants. We are a place where fellow Veterans can come and unwind, blow off steam, and learn. We are happy to have the lone Veteran or their family come to stay on the Ranch. We want to give Veterans the tools to start their own homestead, farm, or even to come and work with us permanently on Barites Veteran Ranch. We hope to heal the cracked souls of our fellow Veterans and help them find a future in a world that is often difficult for us to adjust to.
In Spring of 2017 Vanessa received a phone call from her mother who said she had found a duckling in her yard. We lived on a good amount of land and she figured we might be able to provide it a good home as we are certainly animal lovers. Little did we know the adventures that awaited us...
Our Mission: We help cultivate veterans by showing them how to grow their talents themselves and realize their dream of a healthy future.
We are Devyn Barron and Vanessa Brito and are the owners and are both United States Army veterans. Farm related therapies have helped us reintegrate into civilian life and have found our purpose by sharing these therapies to help rehabilitate fellow veterans. The goal is now to relocate the ranch to the land we own in Northern Arizona, we have just recently been approved as a non-profit and are looking forward to expanding the ranch offerings to help as many veterans as possible.
Our dream is to provide lessons on the breeding raising and care of cattle as well as other livestock, there will also be instruction given on woodworking, growing fruits and vegetables, milking by hand and the financial burdens of owning a farm we will have small homes on the property, available for those who would like to stay on site for their lessons.
Currently, we are growing our livestock and ranching areas. We have 26 mini cows/Bulls That we take to community events like petting zoos farmers markets in small fares to raise awareness and let people know what our vision for our future is we also owns several horses pigs chickens turkeys Ducks goats and sheep the city we live in in his very small community oriented and over the last few years we have volunteered our time during the holidays to set up and run a holiday-themed Santa's corner where families come and visit the North Pole and Santa's livestock there are opportunities to meet Santa buddy the Elf and Mrs. Claus as well as plenty of photo opportunities that have become very popular for the community members of all ages.
We offer as much as we possibly can to our fellow veterans so they can start living a healthier happier life such as livestock training equine-related therapies, woodworking instruction on regenerative agriculture etc. we plan on utilizing social media, word-of-mouth, events, and the building Warrior partnership to ensure that veterans know about our service as an option for the rehabilitation.
Everything we do is currently sell funded through the breeding and sale of many cattle we raise and other Ranch related income. We are looking for any amount of money to help our current operations improved through the use of water tank solar power tractors or shelter supplies for animals.
Organized by Barites Veteran Ranch
[email protected]