Mom feeding the Momma's

Our consideration for the animals on this farm is number one . . . first thing in the morning . . . last thing at night, and if we are lucky a project in between.

     The lambs we sell are bred, born, and raised on our ranch in a manner in which we can be sure of their care, diet, and conditions under which they are grown.

     It is our understanding that when sheep and other ruminates graze on open ranges, the levels of Omega-3 fatty acid, conjugated linolenic acid, betacarotene (vitamin A), vitamin E, and minerals such as iron and zinc are considerably higher, resulting in a more flavorful meat than from animals raised in a feed lot. We also do not use any antibiotics, hormones, insecticides, or fungicides. We believe the high desert environment helps with maintaining the sheep in peak condition, avoiding the problems typically encountered in more moist and rain-prone areas.

                                 This is 'Fancy'

              Who We Are

     Janet Hunter-Marsden has spent many years in the animal care industry along with positions in retail sales and other endeavors, and originally lived on the east coast.

     As for myself, I have had numerous and varied employment adventures ranging from working for San Diego State College, Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, the Orthodontic manufacturing industry, commercial fishing and diving, to caretaking estates and ranches, all of which were fascinating.

     Janet and I met in Lake Tahoe thirty-two years ago and spent a number of years around the lake in various locations, as the opportunity for a home or ranch ownership was difficult in this area we began to look elsewhere.

     Twelve years ago through a group of odd circumstances, Janet was able to meet a rancher in Doyle with some property for sale, find a barn that was too good a deal to pass up, and was  presented the opportunity to work for and learn stockdog training from a very well respected person in the field. Thus, the Side by Side Ranch came into being.

     Little did the old commercial fisherman realize that he would move from the oceans, to the mountains, then to the high desert, and raise sheep for a living . . . Just another adventure . . .