John Johnson

John plans to keep growing the ranch into a home not just for animals, but for people too. His heart is to host gatherings where like-minded people can come together, build community, and enjoy the blessings God has given us.

1. Regular / Recurring Events

  1. Weekend “Open Ranch” visiting hours (walk the ranch, meet the animals)

  2. Guided ranch tours (scheduled, small groups)

  3. “Feed the Herd” sessions where guests help with evening feed

  4. Storytime at the Ranch (kids + animals + simple snacks)

  5. Volunteer workdays (fence repair, cleaning, grooming)

  6. Ranch chores experience (people pay to “work like a ranch hand” for a morning)

  7. Homeschool farm days (weekday educational sessions)

  8. Sunset at the Ranch (evening hangout, music, firepit)

2. Family & Kids Events

  1. Kids “Farm Explorer” day camp (half-day or full-day)

  2. Birthday parties at the ranch (animal meet & greet + hayride)

  3. “Lil’ Ranchers” hands-on class (brushing, feeding, basic care)

  4. Petting zoo days (set areas + staff-led interactions)

  5. Easter egg hunt at the ranch

  6. Pumpkin patch & hay maze in the fall

  7. Back-to-school bash (games, animals, simple food)

  8. Kids craft day (paint a horseshoe, decorate a mini hay bale, etc.)

3. Seasonal / Holiday Events

  1. Spring baby-animal day (calves, mini donkeys, goats, etc.)

  2. Fall harvest festival (pumpkins, cider, vendors, photo spots)

  3. Christmas at the Ranch (lights, photos with “Cowboy Santa,” hot cocoa)

  4. Thanksgiving “Gratitude at the Ranch” open house

  5. Mother’s Day brunch & animal cuddle time

  6. Father’s Day “Dads & Donkeys” or “Dads & Drafts” (if you ever add beer vendors)

  7. 4th of July BBQ & fireworks viewing (if allowed/safe)

  8. New Year’s bonfire & prayer/vision board night

4. Animal-Focused Experiences

  1. Donkey + cow cuddle sessions (bookable time slots)

  2. “Adopt-a-Resident for a Day” (they sponsor, help care, get photos/certificate)

  3. Grooming + brushing clinics (donkeys, horses, mini horses)

  4. “Walk a Donkey” experience on a lead with a guide

  5. Animal training demonstrations (how you work with nervous rescues)

  6. Vet / farrier education day (let your vet show what they do & answer questions)

  7. Sponsor appreciation day (for people who donate feed, etc.)

  8. “Meet the Rescue Stories” evening (you tell each animal’s story live)

5. Education & Workshops

  1. Intro to farm animal care 101

  2. How to start a small homestead or hobby farm

  3. Kids farm safety class

  4. Basic fencing & pasture management workshop

  5. “Behind the Rescue” class (how rescue, intake, and rehab actually work)

  6. Sustainable ranching / land management talk

  7. Animal nutrition & feed basics workshop

  8. “So you want a mini donkey?” reality-check class

6. Fundraising & Community Events

  1. Charity BBQ & silent auction for the rescue

  2. “Buy a Bale” hay drive event (people sponsor bales of hay live)

  3. Benefit concert at the barn (local bands, food trucks)

  4. Community yard sale / swap meet at the ranch

  5. Corporate volunteer day (local businesses bring teams)

  6. School field trip days

  7. Sponsor-a-stall program launch event

  8. Annual “Friends of the Ranch” appreciation picnic

7. Wellness & Faith-Oriented Events

  1. Goat / donkey yoga (on a grassy area with mats)

  2. Sunrise or sunset worship night on the ranch

  3. Men’s fellowship / breakfast at the barn

  4. Women’s retreat day (devotional, quiet time, animals)

  5. Prayer walk through the property

  6. Mental health awareness day with therapists or pastors, plus animal time

8. Photo & Content Events

  1. Professional photo day (photographers rent time slots with your animals/props)

  2. Family mini photo sessions (seasonal: fall, Christmas, spring)

  3. “Content creator day” – invite influencers to shoot at the ranch

  4. Western/cowboy themed photo nights (hats, boots, old truck, barn backdrop)

9. Ranch + Vehicle Tie-In (if you want to blend your car world)

  1. “Rigs & Ranch” meet – Jeeps, trucks, Subarus parked in a field + ranch tours

  2. Off-road/overland meetup with charity raffle for the rescue

  3. Car club charity cruise ending at the ranch for a cookout

10. Private Bookings

  1. Private romantic picnic at the ranch (set up blankets, lights, animals nearby)

  2. Micro-weddings / elopements with ranch backdrop

  3. Corporate team-building day (chores, games, cookout)

  4. Small group retreats (faith, recovery, leadership, etc.)