the ranch
GRADY GRISSOM'S LOVE OF RANCHING CAPTURED HIM AT A YOUNG AGE.
With many formative experiences on ranches as a kid and young adult, Grady always dreamt of one day owning and managing his own land. After ten years away from Colorado pursuing education and meeting his wife, Lynda, and having their daughter, Brooke, the Grissom family returned home in 1996 and founded Rancho Largo.
The first few years on the ranch were not without their challenges. They were welcomed by a brutal winter with 5+ feet of snow. The Grissom’s quickly learned the definition of “neighboring,” while trying to care for their recently acquired cattle and vast acreage. But turns out it is possible to make a living tending to 14,000 acres of grass and canyon lands in southeast Colorado.
The secret? Become a student of the land.
Grady accepted that he could not manage the ecosystem at Rancho Largo, but he could be part of it. Allowing the natural environment to be the guide drove a regenerative approach on the ranch, and ultimately, a tender, flavorful, nutrient dense product for you and your family to enjoy.
To this day, Grady stands by his mantra: We can’t tell our land what to do. Instead, the land tells us when, where, why and how we will graze in a given place and time.
WE VALUE
THE ECOSYSTEM
Our primary mission is the land. We strive to adapt and survive within the ecosystem at Rancho Largo, rather than considering it separate from ourselves.
THE COMMUNITY
As members of the Southeast Colorado community, we strive to contribute to the economic and ecological health of the region.
THE PRODUCT
We exist to produce affordable beef that nourishes the land it came from, the local economy, and the people who consume it.
A BEEF PURCHASE FROM US IS MORE THAN A MONETARY TRANSACTION.
Our transition from commodity beef to custom sales is an effort to honor our values. We’ve spent over 20 years serving our local community and land values. Our efforts developed a“regenerative” production model. Direct sales expanded our focus on product values and serving a larger, more urban community.
A beef purchase from us is more than a monetary transaction; we want to bridge the urban rural divide. We view our transactions with you as a dialogue. We want to know what sustainable and healthy means to you, and we want to share the realities of grassland based beef production with you. We expect our production methods and your perceptions to change through this dialogue. If you approve of our values, come onboard and let the journey begin.
The ranch
Lloyd and Julias have both passed on, but they were in their 80’s when we landed at Rancho Largo. Their wisdom was a key to our survival in a tough semi-desert landscape.