Losing the Family Ranch I have been watching with a heavy heart the break- up of family ranches for years. Although each situation is different they all share some commonalities. Most break-ups are caused by the need for fairness. The ranch is usually the only or at least the largest asset that the parents leave their children and there is not usually enough of the ranch for all the kids to make their livings there. And if they split the ranch then sometimes there is not enough left for even one family to make their living. Often it is not that there isn't enough but that some of the heirs have different interests and pursue lives off the ranch, but they still want their fair share of the inheritance. Generally once a ranch is sold whether to an investor or a hobby rancher it is never the same. The tragedy of these losses is the history and the traditional agricultural practices that are lost in these transitions. I guess the reason that I bring this is up is to get people thinking about options and solutions for our ranching valleys....