Supporting Generations of Ranching: B/K Ranch and the Power of Cooperative Electricity

In line with our cooperative commitment to concern for community, we’re excited to highlight local businesses throughout November, leading up to Small Business Saturday on November 30. Each Saturday, we’ll feature a unique, inspiring small business within our service territory. This week, we’re proud to spotlight B/K Ranch, a fifth-generation, family-owned operation in Calhan, Colorado, founded in 1891. Today, this ranch spans over 2,000 acres and includes a diverse collection of family-run businesses: B/K Ranch, Balsick Burgers, B/K Antiques, B/K Property Management, and Compass Financial.
Through each venture, Garrett Balsick, the current steward of the ranch, emphasizes a dedication to sustainable practices, quality, and community.

For Garrett, B/K Ranch represents more than a business—it’s a family legacy he hopes to continue for future generations. “We don’t own any of this,” he explains. “We’re here to manage it the best we can. God owns it, and that puts business into perspective. It’s not just about money; it’s about the people. We’re here to keep this land as good as possible and provide our customers with the best products in our businesses.” The Balsick family’s commitment to this stewardship is shown in their ranching and local food offerings. At B/K Ranch, they raise Angus cattle and produce quality hay, while Balsick Burgers offers a premium, whole-grind burger crafted from the entire cow, available directly to the public through shares. Proud of their locally sourced products, Garrett says, “We take very, very big pride in the quality of beef we’re producing on this ranch.”

One critical component of the ranch’s sustainable approach is their nutrient-rich soil management, which includes the application of manure to the land. Garrett notes that while this can produce an odor, it’s an essential process for maintaining soil health and supporting their crop cycles. Understanding this is part of their transparent approach to stewardship. He encourages anyone with questions about their practices to reach out to the ranch.

The Balsick family also owns and operates B/K Antiques, a business with a mission to “find, revive, and place antiques into the right homes in the nation.” Sourcing one-of-a-kind pieces from across the country, Garrett and his team make their unique finds available on platforms like Facebook, eBay, and Etsy.

Garett highlights how essential electricity is to B/K Ranch’s daily operations, especially for watering their livestock: “Electricity is vital for watering our cattle—there are too many mouths to manage any other way.” Power also keeps their tractors ready to start on winter days and runs equipment in the workshops. Reliable electricity is central to life on the homestead, too, where his parents depend on it entirely. Looking to the future, Garett sees MVEA’s fiber internet expansion as a game-changer for rural communities: “The internet will be huge for rural areas, opening up untapped potential for entrepreneurs and businesses.”

Reflecting on his family’s long history with the cooperative, Garrett fondly remembers attending MVEA’s member dinners with his grandparents, who enjoyed the community gatherings and winning door prizes. “It’s awesome to be a member of the cooperative because it allowed us to be here and do what we’re doing,” he says, underscoring how the cooperative connection has enabled B/K Ranch to thrive for over a century. Looking ahead, he hopes that at least one of his three children will continue to steward the family legacy.

B/K Ranch embodies resilience, stewardship, and community support, values that mirror MVEA’s commitment to fostering strong local businesses. Garrett sums up the cooperative spirit by sharing, “It’s a blessing to be part of agriculture here. There aren’t many easy days, but it’s a great lifestyle, and I wouldn’t change it.”

Support local businesses like B/K Ranch by shopping small this November and stay tuned each Saturday as we feature a new business to inspire your holiday shopping!