Mission statement

Special K Ranch provides family oriented Christian homes for adults who have developmental disabilities, on a working ranch.

• Challenging residents to learn and grow in personal care and independent living skills.
• Challenging residents to learn and achieve vocational skills in horticulture, gardening, general farm maintenance, and care of livestock.
• Providing residents social and recreational opportunities.
• Practicing good stewardship through wise management of our gifts and resources.
• Recognizing people who have developmental disabilities as "people first" who have gifts to share and are both givers and receivers of love.

Special K Ranch is a 50l © (3) non-profit corporation governed by a 15 member Board of Directors. Although unaffiliated, the program has a strong Christian emphasis in philosophy and practice. The program offers a living and learning experience in a rural agricultural setting for people who have developmental disabilities.

After many meetings, planning, and property search, Larry Goehner was hired to be the first Director in August 1986. In January 1987, the first four residents moved to the ranch.

Special K Ranch is located on 178 acres, 10 miles West of Park City and 8 miles East of Columbus, Montana. The property is bordered on the north by Interstate 90 and on the south by the Yellowstone River. It is accessible by taking the frontage road from either Park City or Columbus.

The ranch serves both men and women, ages 18 and older, whose primary disability is mental retardation. The program is designed to serve people who may need to live within a supportive community all of their lives. It is not designed to deal with those individuals exhibiting extreme behavior, emotional disturbances, or criminal delinquency. Residents to be admitted must have the ability to manage primary self-help skills and to communicate basic needs. Special K Ranch serves 24 people in six separate residences.

What is the basic program?

Special K Ranch is a place where people who have developmental disabilities live, learn, and work with loving and caring advisors who are committed to sharing their lives in this very special way. These people are learning independent living and vocational skills through participation in daily personal, household, and ranch responsibilities. The individuals in each home are responsible for the activities and maintenance of their own home.

Vocationally, everyone is working on the ranch raising livestock, growing bedding plants and hot house tomatoes in the 36,000 square feet of greenhouse, and caring for trees and shrubs in the nursery.

There is a monthly fee charged to each resident for board, room, and life services, i.e.; 24 hour supervision, training, counseling, transportation, and general assistance. The residents’ Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is applied toward the fee.

Contributions are received from community service clubs, churches, individuals, and private and corporate foundations. It is the goal of the ranch to become as self-sufficient as possible through income from ranch production, i.e.; livestock, greenhouse and nursery, and garden produce sales.

Special K Ranch operates independent of government funding and does not contract with the State of Montana.

Click Here for Information about Planned Giving

The staff consists of people who are committed to the concept of Christian community living with people who have mental retardation. There is a married couple or single person living in and managing each home. Vocational advisors supervise the daily work activities.

A Program Director manages the staff and daily operations. There is an Office Manager, a Horticulture Manager, and a Ranch Foreman who oversees the farming and livestock. The Executive Director works with the board and is responsible for financial development.

In 1986 Special K Ranch purchased the 160 acres, with lifetime water rights, for $290,000. The Farm Service Agency granted the assumption of $170,000 loan and The Billings Clearing House, a consortium of four Billings banks made up of Norwest, First Interstate, First Bank of Billings, and First Citizens Bank, loaned $85,000. The balance of $35,000 was paid in cash from funds raised through donations and pledges.

The Billings Area Kiwanis Clubs first became involved when approached by a group of men who were interested in modeling a program after Rainbow Acres in Camp Verde, Arizona.

A Steering Committee was formed in the summer of 1984 consisting of 2 to 4 members from each of the six Billings Area Kiwanis Clubs. This committee was responsible for the original development of Special K Ranch. In 1986 following incorporation, a Board of Directors was elected. Members are elected from the general public and serve a three (3) year term. Special K Ranch continues to solicit support from the Kiwanis Clubs in the Montana District.

Contact or Visit Special K Ranch

If your church group or service club would like a program, one of our staff would be glad to share a video and information about Special K Ranch.

Visitors are always welcome. To schedule an appointment or find out more information, call (406) 322-5520.

Special K Ranch, Inc.
P. O. Box 479
Columbus, Mt. 59019

specialkranch@hughes.net
www.specialkranch.com

Larry A. Goehner
Executive Director
(406) 322-5520
skrlarry@hughes.net

Mike Oberg
Program Director
(406)322-5520
skrmike@hughes.net