# 103: Building a Ranch From Scratch: How One Family's Faith and Grit Created Their Legacy

“ I sometimes pinch myself. It's hard. Ranching isn't easy. It's not easy and I don't want to give that impression, but to get to do what you love so much and are so passionate about it…” 

On this episode of Farming on Purpose, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Laura Hicks, a remarkable rancher who, alongside her husband Mike, built their operation from scratch starting at just 19 years old. Their story is one of grit, faith, and family working together to create something lasting. 

Laura grew up on cattle ranches between Southeast Montana and the Sandhills of Nebraska, spending much of her childhood horseback. Her early years were spent in a two-room house with no running water or electricity, where she and her siblings learned the value of hard work from dawn to dusk. 

"We lived in a house that had no running water or electricity. There were two rooms and seven of us lived there," Laura shared. "We took a bath in the windmill tank and we rode all day, every day. From the time I was five, that's what we did." 

Starting from Scratch 

When Laura married Mike straight out of high school, they faced the challenge of buying back his family's land that had been lost. With nothing but determination and support from a believing banker, they started running other people's cattle and slowly built their own herd. 

"We didn't have cattle or land, either one, and we just started from scratch," Laura explained. "We ran a lot of other people's cattle for several years. We took in cattle, and we calved for other people. We busted our humps pretty hardcore." 

Balancing Ranch Life and Motherhood 

One of the most challenging aspects of their journey was managing young children while working cattle. Laura recalls moving cows with a three-year-old and a one-year-old, often with no choice but to bring them along. 

"I was calving out cows with a three and a one-year-old by myself. I would not recommend it," she admitted. "We survived. Thank God they all survived. But it was a necessity at the time. I didn't really have any other options." 

This hands-on approach to ranching with kids helped shape their sons into the hardworking men they are today. Both sons, now 27 and 30, have chosen to stay involved in the operation, each finding their own path to contribute to the family legacy. 

Building a Better Herd 

A major turning point for their operation came when they could start keeping replacement heifers. After years of dealing with challenging cattle bought from sale barns, developing their own herd transformed their daily work. 

"Now that we've kept replacement heifers for the last close to 10 years, our herd is totally different," Laura shared. "I feel safe having my grandkids out there caking cows. We're more relaxed. We're not always on guard, and it's made ranching more enjoyable." 

Family Transition and Partnership 

Today, Laura and Mike are working through the transition of bringing their oldest son into the operation as a partner. They've been open about expectations from the start, including Mike's intention to never fully retire. 

"Mike will not retire," Laura stated frankly. "He will slow down, but he's never leaving the ranch. We just know that. If you're not happy being a partner until the day he dies, probably decide now." 

Facing Challenges Together 

The family has weathered numerous challenges, including Mike's recent battle with cancer, where the community rallied around them. Through it all, Laura credits their faith and community connection for helping them persist. 

"Prayer has gotten us through so much, so many times," she reflected. "When we've lost leases and don't know which way to go, we pray. We're very actively involved in our churches, and that has helped because it also is a community when we're very isolated." 

Looking Forward 

Despite the challenges of ranching - from weather to tribal leases to family dynamics - Laura remains grateful for the lifestyle. She still spends most of her time horseback, running sheep with her border collies, and working alongside her family. 

"Sometimes I pinch myself," she shared. "Ranching isn't easy, and I don't want to give that impression, but to get to do what you love so much and are so passionate about, even on the days it's 30 below... I'm so grateful that I get to do this." 

To connect with Laura and learn more about her story, visit her website or find her on Instagram and Facebook. 

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About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright: 

I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture. 

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