ABOUT SCHOOL OF RANCH

Hey there...I'm Mark Gross, founder of School of Ranch.  After a life in cities and the burbs, two years ago 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 = Missing limb!  

There is a great migration taking place from urban to rural areas.  People like me looking to reconnect with the land and escape urban life.  Rural life means knowing how to use tools and machines, how to make soil out of, well, dust, and how to raise healthy, happy animals.  I started School of Ranch so we can learn these new skills together.

School of Ranch conducts workshops live and in person.  To build practical skills you need to get your hands on the right equipment and actually try the skills for real. Our workshops are designed and led by experienced locals, and are geared to help beginners work together with their peers to acquire the right skills safely.

Getting people together live builds relationships and strengthens the community.  In today's world, seems like all we hear are about the things that divide us.  School of Ranch brings people together from different backgrounds with varying life experiences around something we all have in common, working the land productively and responsibly.  

School of Ranch offers pathways for people trying to return to the workplace.  We create employment opportunities experiences by recruiting trainers from the pools of experienced locals. 

School of Ranch is an Oregon nonprofit corporation.  We are applying for 501c3 status.  But being a nonprofit doesn't mean we're a charity.  We have to pull our own weight.  We do this by charging for some workshops and offering pay-what-you-want options for others.. 

Our mission is to teach people homestead skills, strengthen communities, and open pathways to employment opportunities.  Our vision is of rural communities that are welcoming, healthy, and caring.

We're based in Central Oregon, but our systems are national.  We are building a curriculum library, and already have the capability to help you get started with your own School of Ranch.