DUNSHIRE RANCH
Helping Homesteading Heroes
We believe in the hands-on experience which helps build confidence in achieving self sufficiency.
Please join us by supporting our efforts to make a measurable difference in the lives of veteran families. It’s time to make real change to homestead mentoring and show our veterans that the country and freedom they fought to preserve and protect - has a community of support available to help them as well. We want to maintain homesteading freedom and the American family right to farm!
All Veterans who have honorably served, deserve a new chance at life beyond the barracks - to create, build and sustain your own homestead is FREEDOM!
You are our heroes! Sure we know you are strong, capable and can do it on your own…but you don’t have to do it alone! This is what a homesteading community is for!
WHO WE ARE
Our Roots
Our strength lies not only in the words we stand by, but most importantly in the actions of our initiatives.
From the moment we started our work on our offgrid ranch in 2020, we understood that by working together and using the skills we have come to learn over the years, we could overcome our challenges much more efficiently. Not everyone grew up on a dairy farm or has faced the same homesteading challenges in their lives - that is why we ultimately decided to launch Dunshire Ranch. It’s about the hands-on experience! It’s about mentorship! It’s about being self sufficient in your life beyond the government and military!
We strive to make a positive change in all of our own pursuits …by helping build up a strong network of veteran families - who are skilled and confident homesteading heroes.
Check out our programs and get involved! We look forward to working with more veteran families!
JAY GAUTNEY
President
Words cannot describe the role that Jay Gautney has had in ensuring that Dunshire Ranch always stays on track. His continued efforts - putting time and sweat equity into our lives on the ranch has been immeasurable! The continued communication with our Veterans and beneficiaries means that Jay is our greatest asset in listening to the pressing needs of Participants and grantees. We are greatful for his commitment and leadership!
LEANNA GAUTNEY
Executive Director
A well-respected member of the Dunshire Ranch team, Leanna Gautney is our Executive Director and one of our founding officers. She’s also married to the President!
Leanna has played a vital role in shaping our vision, mission and programs. She brings years of insight, experience and knowledge. From a 9yr Military career, 7 years running nonprofits, and the 15yrs long years she has as owner of a farm & pet sitting company - aside from all that, there are many formative years she had growing up on a Dairy farm.
Leanna is helping to make Dunshire Ranch a Veteran Family household name!
JAKE GAUTNEY
Vice President
With us since our founding, Jake is one of our veteran team and a family member. He has helped played a critical role in shaping our mission and projects. Jake brings his years of experience and skills in helping Dunshire Ranch grow and make a measurable impact.
DARREN GAUTNEY
Treasurer
Experienced, trustworthy and kind. These are just a few of the ways that our members describe this invaluable member of our board. Darren is truly inspiration and makes work seem easier .
KAELA GAUTNEY
Secretary
An invaluable part of the Dunshire Ranch staff and leadership,Kaela has witnessed the continued evolution of our programs from that start. With extensive experience in both the non-profit and private sectors - and life as a Navy brat, Kaela offers a unique skill-set that ensures undeniable impact.
WAYS WE HELP
The Focus of Our Efforts
VOLUNTEERING
The Future Looks Bright
Feeling like there are countless pressing issues that no single program could make a marked difference? Our Volunteering initiative has proven to be a powerful tool for Dunshire Ranch to successfully serve our Veteran family community and improve countless lives.
We have opportunities to help efforts on the ranch, secure funding, to teach homesteading skills and join us on our weekend warrior events with families we have join us.
Please contact us to learn more!
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Helping Those Who Need Us Most
Dunshire Ranch is a place for learning and experiencing a real homestead! We ensure that our Veteran family needs and priorities come first.
Our Community Outreach program offers a much-desired platform for support of Veteran families who we believe deserve and need it most. Become a part of a brighter future and join our efforts today or connect with us in the community.
If you are a veteran family, please contact us to sign up for one of our upcoming programs, events, or workshops.
VETERAN EMPOWERMENT (VEP)
Change for the Better - Empowered & Confident
The Veteran Empowerment program (VEP) is our longest running initiative, based on the premise that making a real difference is not only possible but vital. It’s not a one-time hand up…it’s a reliable and sustainable network of support!
At Dunshire Ranch, Empowerment is a source of great pride for our Veteran Service Organization. We include ongoing training, community connection and support beyond our initial program - no one gets left behind.
Participants become members of the Dunshire Ranch family - knowing they will always have a friend, mentor and guide to help when challenged with obstacles in the future! We know how it feels to go it alone - we want to ensure that advocacy and community is maintained to empower and strengthen our Homesteading Heroes!
DONATE TIME, TALENTS & TREASURES
Make a Difference Today!
We want to encourage our site visitors to make a donation today and watch it grow like the vegetables in the gardens we plow, the eggs we collect and bucklings we feed.
We are happy to claim our nonprofit status, as a 501(c)3 nonprofit and would like to provide additional information about how our organization works with veterans.
Your contribution of time, talents, and treasures can best help achieve Dunshire Ranch goals to help veteran families in their homesteading efforts. Our mission to help veteran homesteading families achieve self sufficiency - begins with hard work, time and dedication to teaching. We are consistently exploring the world of possibilities - it does take a certain level of funding to get there!
The families who served our country and fought to preserve our American freedoms - deserve the freedom to now live their lives as they choose. We know that homesteading is part of the American dream - freedom comes from being able to make that dream work!
Consider making a monetary donation or set up a legacy donation today! We are so very grateful for the generous support - knowing any contribution we receive, helps make a marked difference in the future lives of our homesteading veteran families!
Please contact us for more details and info & thank you for your support!
TAKE PART
Our strength is amplified with collective action, and you can help make a difference with Dunshire Ranch today! The support we receive is a huge driver of the good work we do in addressing some of society’s most challenging problems.
ATTEND AN EVENT
Our organization always appreciates the generosity and involvement of people like you, with your time and commitment going towards making Dunshire Ranch an even better Veteran Service Organization.
SPREAD THE WORD
Dunshire Ranch depends on your commitment to Spread the Word in order to promote real change on the ground and in local communities. If it weren’t for the active participation of countless individuals, Dunshire Ranch would be far more limited.
MEDIA CENTER
Stay in the Know
INTERVIEW WITH DUNSHIRE RANCH’S DIRECTOR
Our News is to highlight the latest coverage our nonprofit has received. We will soon share some of the more recent - our new location! We will include links and add a photo or video for extra engagement - because connections start with sharing your successes!
LESSONS LEARNED: THE KEY TO NON-PROFIT PROGRAM EVALUATION
Our program is developing and growing, as more support from other homesteading families and community groups join us! We evaluate effectiveness through the feedback we get and the lives we help change!
Don’t miss out on an update.
CONTACT US
