SKR ranchers and staff operate six vocational programs that provide food, plants, and other goods to Montana communities. These occupations offer a variety of employment and education year-round. In addition, job-related responsibilities improve in building rancher’s self-worth and sense of accomplishment. The vocational programs contribute to making Special K Ranch a true working ranch and aid in balancing the fiscal budget.
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Bedding Plants:SKR started the plant operation in early 1990s and it has become incredibly successful. A variety of plants and flowers are grown in nearly 70,000 square feet of greenhouses and sold by vendors across Montana.
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Native Seeds and Seedlings:The ranch raises indigenous plants and shrubs for land restoration projects. This program also includes seed collection, cleaning, sorting, and germination.
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Livestock:Spring is an exciting time for the ranch when around 170 lambs and 20 calves are born. Ranchers are responsible for tending to sheep and cattle needs year-round.
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Service Contracts:SKR partners with local businesses conducting light manufacturing and assembly jobs. These projects create a variety in the Ranchers’ workflow and are done during all seasons.
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Rescued and Reborn:Upcycled materials, such as barbed wire, metal, logs, pallets, and miscellaneous supplies are used to create an assortment of hand-crafted decorations, art, and planters. Resident specialty and customer favorites are the custom made cornhole boards.
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Produce:Ranchers use their green thumbs to grow a variety of garden vegetables, melons, and their famous tomatoes. Tomato World is a highly specialized hydroponic complex capable of producing 1,500 pounds of tomatoes per week. Products are sold at the Yellowstone Valley Farmers Market, Albertsons stores and other local grocery stores, even restaurants around the community.
