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Joe and Nancy Moore
Hatteberg's People
Reporter: Larry Hatteberg
| July 2, 2006--It is no longer enough simply to ‘ranch’ on the Kansas prairie. One western Kansas family understands that more than most. Joe and Nancy Moore found that ‘agri-tourism’ is a good way to diversify and maintain that prairie life that they love so much. |
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| “Get back in there little girl. Sometimes I take it for granted what I have. I enjoy being outside, being with them. It is hard to describe. I guess it just becomes a part of you. It is a part of life I want to hang on to.” |
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If there is heaven on earth for Nancy Moore…this would be it. Out on the ranch with her family, the longhorns, and an old lifestyle with modern day challenges.
“I like that other heifer better.” |
Nancy and her husband Joe own the Moore Ranch South of Bucklin, Kansas. It is here they have taken their stand in the daily monetary battle to survive in a changing agricultural economy.
“Our options are that one of us or both of us are going to have to get a job off the ranch or to maintain our lifestyle we will bring the job to us.”
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So they embraced the concept of Agri-tourism. Sharing their lifestyle with folks who wanted a taste of our country past.
“The work can be hard and frustrating at times like right now it’s pretty dry and we’re having to de-stock a lot of cattle, but that’s part of it. We’ll get through it. We always do.”
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They purchased these cabins were formally a motel.
“It’s actually a motel that was at Cunningham, Kansas, we bought the property and the cabins and brought them out here and started setting them up.”
You may wake up with sheep around your room. Or you’ll see Joe and Nancy’s son Laramie feeding his pet Longhorn. |
“She knew that humans were her ideal source of food so she is tame.”
Trail rides are also offered anywhere from 2-3 days to a week at varying times throughout the year. And on the trail, Nancy is the Chef,
“This helps out a lot, but there aren’t all the conveniences of home here. You have to heat your water in a bucket and so forth.”
Modern technology does creep into the ranch. The Moore’s have a website where they sell some homemade items…including hides, purses and longhorn skulls. |
“It’s not like it was 39 years ago. You have to learn to adapt. You have change a little bit so you look around and say how can I change with it.”
“It’s another way to get some cash flow in.” |
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It’s been dry out on the range, but there is some optimism here.
“I think the great reward is being out here with my children and my family all the time.”
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| Larry’s Note: You can reach Jim and Nancy through their web site at: www.longhorn-cattle.com or you can call them at 620 826-3649 for more information. |
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