When I bought the ranch land outside of Watertown, South Dakota in 1989, I honestly never imagined what it would someday become. At the time, I was simply horse crazy and wanted a place to raise and show horses.
But after years of traveling every weekend with horses and trailers, I realized I didn’t want that life. What I wanted was for others to experience the power of horses and the impact and change they can have on a person.
Many people see horseback riding as just a recreational activity, but it’s so much more than that. Horses have an extraordinary ability to meet people where they are, connecting with them on an emotional, physical, and even unspoken level.
I’ve witnessed it time and time again, the way a horse can build confidence in someone who’s doubting themselves, bring calm to a mind that feels overwhelmed, or help someone regain strength and movement they thought was lost. There’s a quiet, profound transformation that happens in their presence.
From Horses to a Mission
What started as a few volunteer equine programs for children with disabilities quickly turned into something much bigger.
Churches, veterans’ groups, Big Brothers Big Sisters and families from across the region started reaching out wanting to participate. Before long, we partnered with South Dakota State University to conduct a feasibility study to understand the long-term need for a place like Joy Ranch.
The results were eye-opening. They estimated there were more than 30,000 people within our regional area who could benefit from accessible experiences and programs like ours. That’s when I realized this mission had the potential to grow far beyond what I could have imagined.
Today, Joy Ranch has grown into a 126-acre ranch and nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals of all ages and abilities through equine companionship, compassionate support and meaningful community experiences. We welcome around 12,000 visitors each year through camps, retreats, reunions, weddings, corporate events and mission-focused programming.
While many people know us for horses, our mission is actually much broader.
We serve individuals and families facing all kinds of challenges. We host cancer camps, veterans with PTSD, children with spina bifida, foster families and recently even a camp for severely burned children coming from Minneapolis.
One thing I always want people to understand is that every wedding, family reunion, corporate retreat or special event hosted at Joy Ranch directly helps support those mission-based programs. Guests get to enjoy a beautiful and meaningful experience while also helping us create life-changing opportunities for others.
The Moments That Stay with You
There have been moments at Joy Ranch I will never forget. A few years ago, a mother came up to me after attending one of our family camps and told me the relationships her family formed at the ranch completely changed their lives. It wasn’t just a temporary experience; it created lasting and meaningful connections for them. That’s the kind of impact that goes far beyond the moment.
Another involved a young woman who had never spoken before. We worked to get her onto one of our horses using adaptive equipment and supports. As she rode around the arena and saw herself in the mirrors, she suddenly started talking. Her mother just stood there crying.
Those are the moments that remind me why this place matters. It’s not just about activities or buildings. It’s about connection, confidence, healing and creating a place where people feel accepted and supported.
Growing Joy Ranch for the Future
As Joy Ranch has continued to grow, so have the needs of the people we serve.
Last summer, after watching dozens of children in wheelchairs trying to play basketball outside in the rain, I realized we needed a better indoor activity and recreation space that could support our programs year-round.
That led to our newest project with Catalyst Construction, a new multi-purpose recreation and event center that will include indoor recreation space, accessible pickleball courts and additional flexibility for retreats, events and programming.
As someone who has spent more than 40 years in real estate, development and construction myself, I’ve worked with many construction partners over the years. What stood out to me about Catalyst was how much they genuinely care. This project isn’t just another building to them.
They’ve been incredibly thoughtful, collaborative and sensitive to our mission throughout the process. They listen, they ask questions and they understand that nonprofit projects carry an emotional connection that goes beyond budgets and schedules. That matters to me.
I’ve especially appreciated how willing the Catalyst team, especially Senior Project Manager Blake Turbak, has been to understand the day-to-day operations of the ranch, from camps and events to preserving the historic Western feel of the property.
Thankfully, I think we accomplished exactly what we hoped for. In fact, someone recently walked up and tapped on the building because they thought it was barn wood instead of steel. I told the Catalyst team we earned an A+ on that one.
Why Partnership Matters
One thing I’ve learned through years of nonprofit work and construction projects is that the right partner makes all the difference.
Many nonprofits have incredible ideas and incredible missions, but they may not have construction experience or know how to turn those ideas into functional spaces that truly support the people they serve.
That’s where a team like Catalyst makes a difference.
They are excellent listeners. They help organizations think through how spaces will actually function, who the users are and how a building can better support a mission long-term. That type of collaboration matters because you’re not just building a structure, you’re solving a problem and creating opportunities for people.
Looking Ahead
Our newest project is only the beginning. We already have future phases planned, including additional retreat lodging to help us continue growing our reach and serving even more families and organizations traveling from across the Midwest and beyond.
My personal dream is to someday grow our endowment enough so every child can attend camp at Joy Ranch for free. I never want finances to be the reason someone can’t come here.
If a family has a child with challenges, there’s often financial strain there too. That’s why we’ve worked hard to create campership opportunities and donor-supported funds to help remove those barriers whenever possible. I want Joy Ranch to continue growing, continue helping people and continue creating experiences that change lives for generations to come.
Experience Joy Ranch This Summer
As we head into another busy summer season, I hope more people will come experience Joy Ranch for themselves and see firsthand what makes this place so special.
Whether it’s attending a youth camp, hosting a family reunion, planning a retreat, celebrating a wedding, volunteering or supporting our mission through donations, every person who visits Joy Ranch becomes part of something bigger.
Because at the end of the day, Joy Ranch has never just been about horses or buildings. It’s about people. It’s about community. And it’s about creating a place where individuals and families of all ages and abilities feel welcomed, supported and inspired.
Interested in attending a camp or event at Joy Ranch this summer? Learn more here: Joy Ranch Events & Camps
Want to get involved, volunteer or support the mission of Joy Ranch? Find more ways to help here: Ways to Help Joy Ranch
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