River’s Bend Ranch is proud to announce the introduction of our grass-fed, pesticide-free American Wagyu beef products!
"Healthy Soil, Healthy Plants, Healthy Food, Healthy Life"
Beyond hospitality, River’s Bend Ranch is committed to protecting our water and practicing sustainable, regenerative agriculture. Read on to learn about our many ongoing projects on the ranch.
Sustainable Gardening Practices
Our large flower-growing area supports thousands of pollinators and features a mix of native and traditional medicinal plants, including Scottish thistle, mullein, artemisia, and other intentionally cultivated flowers and herbs. We believe in the healing power of plants and are proud to grow botanicals such as ashwagandha, holy basil, lavender, elderberry, bee balm, and more—valued for their restorative properties and natural beauty.
Our vegetable crops change each year and may very well end up on your dinner plate, as we continue building relationships with local restaurants that value fresh, seasonal ingredients for their farm-to-table menus.
To the best of our ability, we strive to use materials and products that are OMRI-certified, reflecting our commitment to organic practices that support the health of our animals, our environment, and the broader community.
This year, we are investing in a large field of mostly thornless blackberries—along with a few raspberry bushes—which we plan to offer at local farmers’ markets or through a ‘pick-your-own’ experience once the plants begin producing fruit over the next couple of years.
Beekeeping
“A world without pollinators would be a world without food diversity. Let us protect these tiny creatures and the beauty they bring to our lives.” – Unknown
“Beekeeping plays a vital role in promoting and maintaining agricultural sustainability. This age-old practice not only facilitates the production of natural honey but also contributes significantly to pollination and biodiversity” (courtesy of www.urbanbeelife.com).
River’s Bend Ranch has recently added two beehives to our pollinator garden to help support endangered pollinators. We plan to add more hives over time as part of our commitment to protecting our delicate ecosystem and enhancing both local and global biodiversity.
Grass-fed Beef
Using regenerative and sustainable practices, we have expanded our small herd of pesticide-free, grass-fed beef. This includes the recent addition of a Wagyu bull and cows implanted with 100% registered Wagyu embryos. Our herd is growing steadily and we have started selling our American Wagyu beef products.
Free Range Organic Eggs
Our chickens roam freely across the ranch, returning each evening to roost and nest in their coop. They are fed a certified organic diet, and produce beautiful, high-quality eggs that are available for purchase most of the year.
Navajo Churro Sheep Project
For over six years, River’s Bend Ranch has partnered with the Navajo Sheep Project. The Navajo-Churro, the only truly American breed of sheep, was developed centuries ago by the Navajo people and is now listed as an endangered livestock breed. We currently care for 16 sheep, including lambs, and are committed to growing our herd. In addition to their cultural importance, our sheep play a vital role in land management by naturally grazing areas we once had to mow. They are sheared twice a year, and all fleeces are donated to the Navajo Sheep Project in Utah, where they are used by Navajo weavers in traditional wool products. You can learn more about this project here.
River’s Bend Ranch is also a member of The Livestock Conservancy, to help support their mission to protect endangered livestock breeds from extinction, such as the Navajo Churro.
River Front Nature Preserve Project
We’ve fenced off our river frontage to restore it as a natural wildlife habitat, protecting the river from erosion, runoff, and pollutants. Visitors can enjoy trail rides or hike down to the river, where the meditation platform offers a serene spot for peace and relaxation.
Pond Restoration Project
Rivers Bend Ranch, like many other farms and ranches, is feeling the effects of Climate Change in our area. During the recent two-year severe drought, our 100+ year old two-acre pond dried up. Lack of rain and dropping water tables left it completely without water. We have decided to try and restore it, as a fresh-water pond suitable for fishing and recreating, by fencing it off from any livestock use, re-stocking it with fish, and replenishing it with clean spring and rainwater. Our 2-year goal is to create a thriving freshwater pond, stocked with gamefish, turtles, and local amphibians, while providing a home for migrating ducks.
Riverfront Project
Our ranch is blessed with having over a half mile of frontage on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. We have learned through the years that allowing livestock to graze near or in the river contributes to its pollution which eventually ends up in the Cheasapeake Bay. A statewide effort to protect the Bay includes fencing off our creeks, tributaries and river access to protect the river and make it clean enough for safe recreation and healthy fish and aquatic growth.
This past year RBR fenced off our whole river access, removing livestock from any contact. It is now being allowed to return to a wild state, with growth of native plants such as pawpaw trees, wild raspberry, and Virginia blue bells. Our trail ride is a beautiful walk thru this protected area, and guests staying at the ranch are invited to walk to the river, and even take advantage of our meditation deck, overlooking a beautiful stretch of white water.
