Chamber recognizes Youth Ranch

DEEP CREEK - The West Plains Chamber of Commerce held its April 13 meeting at the Jensen Memorial Youth Ranch in recognition of its commitment to local youth and to expose Chamber members to the ranch and its mission.

Carl Grub founded the ranch in 2008 when he purchased 110 acres from the Jensen family on Ritchey Road in the Deep Creek community. After purchasing the land, Carl and his younger brother Craig established a youth ranch where local FFA and 4-H kids raise livestock and gain exposure to the agricultural industry.

The Grubs named the ranch in honor of John and Dana Jensen, brothers who grew up on the property and, after attending Medical Lake High School, died in the Vietnam War.

Ranch board member Jim Wentland praised the Grubs for their 15-year commitment to the ranch and the sacrifice they have made to ensure the ranch continues in perpetuity. He said the ranch continues to develop its property and is in the process of building a new barn to house goats and sheep, besides the two barns already in existence.

"It's a place for Reardan and Spokane County youth to raise their animals and to board them for free," Wentland said. "Most communities don't have an opportunity like this for their youth."

Medical Lake FFA advisor Jennie Wagner applauded the ranch for allowing her students who live on Fairchild Air Force Base the opportunity to have hands-on experience with livestock.

Carl Grub stated that in the past, he and Craig funded the ranch's operations. Now contributions from local businesses and community members pay its operating expenses.

"Here, our leaders and volunteers take kids who have never seen a pig and teach them how to raise one," Grub said. "Everything is pretty positive here and the kids get a wonderful experience."

"We've got to keep good kids doing good things," Craig Grub said. "A lot of kids play sports or maybe they're in the band, but some kids aren't interested in either. We offer something completely different, and we have had great success."

Chamber CEO Mark Losh, who oversees 312 members, praised the Grubs for their vision that encourages youth to take personal responsibility for livestock animals and possibly be leaders in the agricultural field one day.

Losh said that the Chamber must support and promote agriculture in the West Plains. His goal for the chamber is to be the voice for area farmers, ranchers and organizations like the Jensen Memorial Youth Ranch.

In addition, he wants to ensure that West Plains towns are healthy and safe in order to keep and attract businesses.

"If agriculture money is not spent in the West Plains, it will die," Losh said. "Ranchers and farmers drive 80 miles to come through here. If they don't buy their feed and supplies here, they will buy them in Spokane."