School of Ranch's Live Workshops

We Reach for the Stars. And Hire Them.

Participants Expect Interactive Experiences.

We want workshops that are hands-on, use engaging demonstrations, or create problem solving experiences.

Participants Expect Passionate Coaching.

We want coaches, not professors, to guide our exploration.

Participants Expect to Collaborate.

We want to meet new people, and to be given the chance to learn from one another.

Participants Expect Takeaways.

We want to leave with practical skills and knowledge we can apply.

Participants Expect To Be Met Where They Are.

We want the same opportunity to learn and engage regardless of knowledge or skill level.

Participants Expect To Have Fun.

We're social and curious, and expect to have experiences - from pot lucks to game-based learning - that engage and delight us.

Chainsaws and YouTube Don't Mix

I'm Mark Gross, founder of School of Ranch. After a life in cities and the burbs, I found myself living on a ranch in Central Oregon. First thing I did...bought a chainsaw and went to YouTube to learn how to use it. Mistake! Chainsaw + Video = Major Potential of Missing limb!

School of Ranch is Born

I ran an ad on Craigslist, "Idiot Needs Help with Chainsaw." Kaleb Watson showed up at my door, and despite having zero in common, we bonded over the experience. I said, hey, let's start School of Ranch! We can hire people like you to teach people like me. And better, we can help everyone discover common ground. After all, we're not going to fight while working together to learn to use a chainsaw.

Building Bridges While Mending Fences

While our product is education, our purpose is community. We help people discover common ground regardless of politics, age, background or beliefes.

A Volunteer-Led, Student-Run 501c3 Nonprofit

Today, School of Ranch serves thousands of people each year in Central Oregon with its workshops and programs like School of Ranch Extend. We are a volunteer-led nonprofit. There is no paid staff. We do pay our high school interns, who run all our marketing. Thanks for all your support.