At this very moment, the most expensive project the ranch has taken on is underway, and most of it is underground. It has taken nearly two years for us to get to this point, but we could never have tackled this project on our own. While you may never see the bulk of the project taking place, you’ll certainly be able to see the effects. In fact, because of this project, we will ALL be able to see better! That’s because phase 1 and 2 of our electrical project is nearing completion, bringing a new electrical service to the ranch! All of this has been made possible because of The Raymus Foundation, who awarded the ranch two grants in 2021 and 2022 to fully pay for phase 1 and 2! In addition to these amazing grants, our electrical contractor, Denny from Applied Electric, and his son, donated their time recently to help us lay hundreds of feet of conduit in preparation for running the new electrical lines. And, some great volunteers helped us clean out and backfill all the trenches! What does this mean for future ranch projects and events? 1. Lighting at the ranch entrance! 2. Flood lights in the center of the garden, making it possible to harvest after dark. 3. Edison lights strung from the center pole for future farm-to-table dinner events. 4. Stubbed electrical for the upcoming greenhouse. 5. Central sub-panel located in the lane where all current and future phases will connect. 6. New panel at the roadway with a new motor control for the irrigation pump, making it possible to run our pressurized lines to water all landscape trees with surface water as well as for dust control in the arena. 7. Lights for the front paddocks and poultry palace. 8. Power to run the future O2 Compost system.
Why choose this project to share for #GivingTuesday? Among other things, to publicly say THANK YOU to the Raymus Foundation and Applied Electric for laying such a bright foundation for the future work of the ranch! Also, to point out how both funding and volunteered time continue to build the ranch so that we can expand our ability to serve families and our community! As each piece falls into place, doors open for us to move to new projects and possibilities, but it will literally take an army of people who see what is taking place here and say, “I’m in! How can I help?”
Finally, in case you’re wondering, there are two more phases of this project to go. Phase three brings electrical to the current paddocks, round pen, future hay cover and tack room and the lane. Phase 4 brings electrical to the arena and future playground. How do you eat an elephant? That’s right, one bite at a time!
If you’d like to support MSR during Giving Tuesday, by volunteering, supporting one of our horses, or financially supporting our program, click here for more information.
