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Willow-Witt Ranch

Willow-Witt Ranch, situated high above Ashland at the confluence of three creeks and the birth- place of twelve springs, is a magical 440 acres that has been used for ranching since the 1860’s. Today, it is sustainably farmed and being lovingly restored by owners Suzanne Willow and Lanita Witt.

In addition to raising pastured chickens, pigs and goats, Suzanne and Lanita have undertaken a comprehensive monitoring and restoration program that aims to heal the land from 100 years of cattle ranching.  The first step was to fence the entire property to keep out cows that still roam the open range in Oregon’s Cascade Mountains.  Then, in the lowland gullies and stream beds where cattle damage was pronounced, they planted 4500 willow trees with the help of 150 local children.  They have also set aside 76 acres of wetland as a preservation area and established wildlife and water monitoring programs in conjunction with Klamath Bird Observatory and Bear Creek Watershed Education Project.  In 2007, they were named Tree Farmers of the Year for their work reestablishing conifers in the logged areas on their land.

In spite of all this logistic heavy restoration and monitoring work, Suzanne says it is the simple day to day experience of working with the animals and being, “in touch with the physical world” that keeps them living this off-grid life rich with the daily cycles of work and responsibility that have characterized farm-life for thousands of years.  She and Lanita raise almost all of their own food, including nearly 100% of their protein.  They also sell goat milk and eggs, stewing chickens, goat meat and pork.  In truly sustainable fashion, every bit of the animals killed for meat are used.  Goat hides become drum heads, specialty meats are sold to a growing Latino community who prize these delicacies, and what isn’t eaten, is composted in super-hot piles that cook everything up into a nutrient dense mix.

One of the best things about Willow-Witt Ranch is that you can experience its slower pace, beautiful setting, wildlife and farm animals. Get away from it all in their guest quarters or hike with pack goats up Grizzly Peak. Camp in style in the soon to be developed luxury campsite with platform tents and beds, or come for the day, get a tour and hear a talk about sustainable farming practices.  Or, come up just to buy milk, eggs or meat. As Suzanne and Lanita put it, “Like pure mountain water, good stewardship here at the headwaters cascades through the entire watershed.  From pastured meat and dairy products, farm tours and farm stays, to birding, hiking, skiing and packgoat adventures, Willow-Witt Ranch has something for you.”