Backyard Garden Project
Imagine Your Child Picking Dinner from Their Own Backyard Garden… Just Like Grandma Did
Backyard Garden Project
Imagine Your Child Picking Dinner from Their Own Backyard Garden… Just Like Grandma Did
At Montana Ranch and Cattle in Kern County, the Backyard Garden Project brings back the lost art of real farming. No more lawns or grocery-store carrots. Kids (and whole families) learn hands-on gardening, cattle care, chickens, composting, irrigation, and self-sufficiency — skills nobody else is teaching like this. Turn your backyard into food for your family all year long.
This is the future every American kid deserves.
The only real ranch experience where kids become confident future farmers — not just visitors. Spots for spring and summer are filling fast.
From My Grandma’s Magic Backyard to Your Family’s Future
Picture this: When I was a kid, my grandma’s entire backyard was one giant garden lined with fruit trees. Every evening she’d smile and say, “Go pick what you want for dinner tonight!” We’d run out, grab fresh tomatoes, beans, or whatever was ripe, and she’d can the rest on her patio so we ate well all winter.
My family has been raising cattle and farming since 1836 — over 180 years of real dirt-under-the-nails work. I gathered eggs every morning, fed the animals, hauled manure for compost, and learned to spot bad hay so our cattle stayed healthy. It was hard work, but it built strong, self-reliant kids who loved the land.
Today most children only see food on a grocery shelf. Big farms are struggling, and the simple skills of growing your own food and caring for animals have almost disappeared. That’s why we created the Backyard Garden Project — to bring that joy and self-sufficiency back, one family and one backyard at a time.
Hands-On Skills That Will Change Your Child’s Life
Gardening Mastery
Planting seeds, growing vegetables & herbs like a pro
Cattle Care
Feeding, health checks, pasture & water management
Chicken Raising
Composting Magic
Collecting eggs, feeding, cleaning pens
Composting Magic
Composting Magic
Turning manure into rich garden soil
Irrigation & Water Wisdom
Irrigation & Water Wisdom
Irrigation & Water Wisdom
Smart watering and well protection
Hay Know-How
Irrigation & Water Wisdom
Irrigation & Water Wisdom
Spotting quality alfalfa vs. junk hay
Backyard Transformation
Irrigation & Water Wisdom
Backyard Transformation
Turn lawns into food gardens that feed 4–6 people year-round
True Self-Sufficiency
Irrigation & Water Wisdom
Backyard Transformation
Canning, preserving & living off your own land
Perfect for Kids, Families, Schools & Our Whole Community
For Kids
“Mommy! Daddy! I want to do THIS!” Imagine running through a real ranch, feeding fluffy chickens, planting your very own seeds, petting friendly calves, and learning how food actually grows — all while making new friends and getting as dirty as you want.
This isn’t a boring school trip. It’s the most exciting adventure you’ll ever have, and you’ll come home bragging to all your friends about the real skills you learned.
For Parents & Families
Learn side-by-side as a whole family at Montana Ranch and Cattle.
Watch your kids light up as they plant seeds, feed animals, and discover where real food comes from. You’ll build lasting memories, create true self-reliance, and learn exactly how to turn your backyard from a useless lawn into a productive garden that can feed your family of 4–6 all year long — no more depending on grocery stores.
For Teachers & Schools
Give your students a one-of-a-kind, curriculum-aligned field trip they will never forget. Real-world lessons in science, biology, agriculture, responsibility, water conservation, and environmental stewardship that no textbook can match.
Custom programs for Kern County schools with teacher guides, follow-up activities, and hands-on experiences that bring learning to life.