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Rockside Ranch
Life restoration for young men in crisis on a working ranch in Etna, CA
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Welcome to the Good Food and a Better Story Blog

Rockside Ranch has always been about two things: raising good food and living better stories. From graduate testimonies to how we got started, to our recipes and traditions, we’re sharing it all right here. Thanks for joining us!

Behind the Scenes as a Rockside Student [By Craig]
Behind the Scenes as a Rockside Student [By Craig]

Have you ever wondered what a typical day at Rockside Ranch is like? Check out this video for an up-close look at a day in the life of a Rockside student. The daily rhythms and routines are…

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Craig ThompsonMay 19, 2022Comment
No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bites [By Jen]
No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bites [By Jen]

Here is my recipe for my No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bites! They’re great as a make-ahead snack and taste even better…

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Guest UserApril 21, 2022Comment
A Letter to My Former Self [By Jeremiah Bryan]
A Letter to My Former Self [By Jeremiah Bryan]

Dear Me, Hey there. This is your future self. Life’s not going too well, huh? There's a lot of things you need to do, and none of them feel as if they have any purpose…

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Guest UserApril 21, 2022 Comments
Meet the Osburn's! [By Craig]
Meet the Osburn's! [By Craig]

I am so excited for you to meet Zach and Jordyn Osburn. They have been running Shady Creek Farm for the last seven years in Allegan, Michigan, and are now directing the “Rockside Great Lakes” program…

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Guest UserApril 21, 2022Comment
Not Your Everyday Meatloaf [By Jen]
Not Your Everyday Meatloaf [By Jen]

When I first started studying nutrition, I was amazed at the nutritional benefits of eating animals “nose to tail.” Many in the ancestral health community…

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Jen ThompsonMarch 25, 2022 Comments
Staff Spotlight: Kris Wilson [By Jen]
Staff Spotlight: Kris Wilson [By Jen]

The Rockside students completed a strenuous hike this month to a favorite local spot called Castle Crags. The hike is long and often in the past one or two students haven’t made it to the top. This month, however…

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Jen ThompsonMarch 25, 2022 Comments
Grad Highlight: Tyson [By Craig]
Grad Highlight: Tyson [By Craig]

While at the ranch, Tyson consistently put others ahead of himself. After graduation, he moved to the Rockside Workforce Program in Rapid City and began his plumber’s apprenticeship…

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Craig ThompsonMarch 3, 2022Comment
Crispy Baked Bacon Recipe [By Jen]
Crispy Baked Bacon Recipe [By Jen]

Growing up, my grandma had a funny contraption for cooking bacon in the microwave. I always thought it was strange, but it did allow the bacon to be…

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Jen ThompsonFebruary 25, 2022Comment
Three Bacon Facts to Know! [By Jen]
Three Bacon Facts to Know! [By Jen]

I’ve always been a lover of breakfast. It used to be cereal and milk every day, but when we started farming at Rockside I realized I needed a lot more nutrition to fuel my day than a couple bowls of…

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Jen ThompsonFebruary 25, 2022Comment
Grad Highlight: Mason [By Craig]
Grad Highlight: Mason [By Craig]

Mason dedicated himself to the program in every way, earning the highest student rank of Team Lead while at the ranch – a rank that must be approved by…

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Guest UserFebruary 1, 2022Comment
Healing Chicken Noodle Soup [By Jen]
Healing Chicken Noodle Soup [By Jen]

I wanted to share a recipe for my Healing Chicken Noodle Soup in case you’re battling sickness or just need a little comfort for the January Blues. I’m including instructions for how to make Chicken Bone Broth as well, because…

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Jen ThompsonJanuary 31, 2022Comment
A Crash Course on Chickens [By Jen]
A Crash Course on Chickens [By Jen]

We inherited our first chickens from a friend who lived on Main St. in Etna. They were her prized possession, but she couldn’t keep them anymore. So we went, under the cover of night…

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Jen ThompsonJanuary 31, 2022 Comments
2021 Highlight [By Craig]
2021 Highlight [By Craig]

After students graduate, they immediately begin a job or college program and it is so exciting to see their hard work pay off. Our 2021 graduates began careers in…

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Craig ThompsonDecember 22, 2021Comment
Warm Root Vegetable Salad with Bacon & Eggs [By Jen]
Warm Root Vegetable Salad with Bacon & Eggs [By Jen]

This salad keeps well in the fridge and is great as leftovers. Make an extra big batch to enjoy all week! While it’s true this recipe has a lot of steps, it’s actually quite simple to make…

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Jen ThompsonDecember 18, 2021Comment
Bringing Heartache to the Manger [By Jen]
Bringing Heartache to the Manger [By Jen]

I have always been a crier. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I cry easily, sometimes embarrassingly so. This time of year, my tendency to tear up comes out in full force. If you’ve followed us on our journey…

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Jen ThompsonDecember 17, 2021 Comments
Grad Highlight: Bowen [By Craig]
Grad Highlight: Bowen [By Craig]

Bowen joined the Rockside program all the way from Tobaccoville, North Carolina. While at the ranch, Bowen played a critical role in building over a mile of…

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Graduate HighlightCraig ThompsonNovember 29, 2021Comment
Instant Pot Pumpkin Sausage Stew [By Jen]
Instant Pot Pumpkin Sausage Stew [By Jen]

I'm including a recipe for an easy pressure cooker sausage stew that will cover dinner so you can get ready for Thanksgiving. The stew tastes best with our Rockside Sweet Italian Sausage…

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Guest UserNovember 20, 2021Comment
How We Got Our First Student [By Jen]
How We Got Our First Student [By Jen]

In the early days of this faith journey of Rockside, we were always waiting with bated breath to see what was around the next corner. We bought the land and decided to build a ministry for men, but wondered how it would actually come together…

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Jen ThompsonNovember 20, 2021 Comments
Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing [By Jen]
Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing [By Jen]

Using high quality oils is one of the best ways to increase your nutritional benefit from food while also increasing your satisfaction and enjoyment. Commercial salad dressings are full of…

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RecipesJen ThompsonOctober 28, 2021Comment
Raise up Godly Men [By Jen]
Raise up Godly Men [By Jen]

My friend Harold used to say that God never hurries, He never worries, and He’s never late. We thought we would travel the world after we married, but God’s perfect timing…

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Ranch StoriesJen ThompsonOctober 28, 2021 Comments
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Rockside Ranch
2421 California 3,
Etna, CA, 96027,
United States
(530) 467-4044 info@rocksideranch.org
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Etna (Main): 2421 N. State Highway 3 Etna, CA 96027 (530) 467-4044

Black Hills: 21839 Curlew Road New Underwood, SD 57761 (605) 600-2900

Great Lakes: 3562 Dumont Road Allegan, MI 49010 (616) 405-1737

Questions? Contact trina@rocksideranch.org

Rockside Ranch is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Tax ID: 45-4613625

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