Insights
If you ever have the chance to visit with Ron, you will walk away inspired and ready to take on the world. In 12 years, Ron has liquidated 85% of his possessions, learned to farm, started a farming operation from scratch, amassed 8,000 acres of organic ground, written two books, and started a public speaking career -- all while raising a family with his wife, Julie.
Ron's response to that list would probably be a chuckle and a "I don't sleep much", but the Rabou operation today started with adversity and a leap of faith that would forever change the course of Ron and Julie’s life.
Ron was a 5th generation cattle rancher; the trouble with that was he hated every bit of working with cows and horses. He always knew that he would be closely tied to agriculture but in a different capacity. Ron became a state officer for FFA, but still periodically helped his dad with the cows.
On a day like any other, Rob returned home to help his dad but it would be the last time he would work with his father. Ron’s father collapsed that day while working the cattle and passed away, despite Ron’s efforts to save him. After that tragic day, Ron purchased his dad’s share of the ranch, quit his job, and became a cattle rancher. By default, this put Ron in business with his father’s family.
Despite his lack of enthusiasm for animal husbandry, this seemed to be the path his life would take after his father’s death. For three years, Ron held on through crippling levels of animosity and distrust that existed within the family operation in order to keep the amount of ranch equity apportioned to his side of the family. One day, he looked at his wife and decided enough is enough.