Our Story
From a Long-Held Dream to a Montana Ranch
Chris had dreamed of owning property in Montana since he and Camille first met. Shortly after they married, they began searching for the right piece of land in both Idaho and Montana. Their search ultimately led them to a 264-acre ranch in Big Timber, Montana, which they purchased in January 2025.
A Growing Desire to Reconnect With Food
Long before purchasing the ranch, Chris and Camille had already made food quality a priority for their family. They focused on whole foods, organic produce, quality meat and poultry, and reducing the amount of processed food in their daily lives.
Over time, that commitment led to a deeper interest in understanding where food comes from and how soil health, animal care, and land management are connected. That growing awareness became an important part of their decision to build Sweetgrass Farms and create a closer connection between the land, the animals, and the food people bring home.
Learning Before Building
Before purchasing the ranch, Chris committed himself to learning how to build it responsibly. He completed an eight-month farming program in Kansas offered in connection with Kansas Wesleyan University and the Rodale Institute, gaining a stronger understanding of farming, soil health, and long-term land management.
Over the next six months, Chris and Camille worked through the financial and operational realities of starting a ranch. They focused on creating a plan that could grow carefully, support the land, and remain sustainable over time.
Approximately nine months after Chris completed the program, they took the next major step and purchased 10 Fullblood Wagyu cows and heifers, establishing the foundation of the Sweetgrass Farms herd.
Meet Chris
Chris began his military career at just 17 years old and went on to serve as a U.S. Navy SEAL. After leaving the military, he continued serving others through a career in law enforcement. Those experiences shaped his leadership, discipline, resilience, and commitment to doing things with purpose.
Although ranching was not part of his original plan, Chris eventually turned his attention toward farming, livestock, and land stewardship. His interest in soil health helped him see the connection between healthy land, healthy animals, and the food people bring into their homes.
Today, Chris brings the same patience, responsibility, and long-term mindset from his years of service to Sweetgrass Farms. As a veteran-owned ranch, Sweetgrass Farms reflects his commitment to caring for the land, raising livestock thoughtfully, and helping people reconnect with where their food begins.
Meet Camille
Camille spent part of her early years in Central California, where agriculture was a visible part of everyday life. Although she did not originally plan to become a rancher, those early experiences gave her an appreciation for the people, land, and work behind food production.
She later pursued a career in business, developing skills that now help support the growth and direction of Sweetgrass Farms. Today, Camille plays an important role in building the family ranch, shaping its long-term vision, and helping turn a shared dream into something lasting.
Her path to ranching was not a traditional one, but that is part of what makes the story of Sweetgrass Farms unique. Camille brings a thoughtful, practical perspective to the ranch as the family grows the herd, cares for the land, and builds toward the future.
Why Fullblood Wagyu
Chris and Camille chose Fullblood Wagyu because the breed offers more than exceptional eating quality. Wagyu is widely known for its abundant marbling, which contributes to its tenderness, rich flavor, and distinctive buttery texture.
They were also drawn to the breed's calm temperament, intelligence, and strong genetic foundation. Those qualities make Fullblood Wagyu a natural fit for the kind of ranch they are building—one focused on thoughtful animal care, careful growth, and a long-term breeding program.
For Sweetgrass Farms, Fullblood Wagyu represents the connection between genetics, responsible ranching, and the future beef program they hope to develop over time.
Growing Slowly and Intentionally
Sweetgrass Farms is being built with patience, purpose, and a long-term view. Rather than rushing to expand, Chris and Camille are focused on growing the Fullblood Wagyu herd carefully while continuing managed intensive grazing and improving how the land holds and distributes water.
As the ranch develops, they hope to add sheep and chickens to support a more diverse and balanced agricultural system. They are also working toward a future Wagyu beef program built around thoughtful animal care, responsible land stewardship, and steady growth.
Looking further ahead, Chris and Camille hope to welcome a small number of visitors to the ranch. Their long-term vision includes an intimate, agro-tourism-focused micro-luxury experience where guests can reconnect with the land, learn where their food comes from, and experience the quiet character of a working Montana ranch.
Follow the Next Chapter
Sweetgrass Farms is still at the beginning of its story. Follow along as the herd grows, the land changes, and the family builds toward future Wagyu beef and a deeper connection between soil, animals, and food.