Dutch Joe Ranch
Vision Statement
An Interview with Richard E. "Reb" Bunger
June 1, 2009 |
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A serenely peaceful, self-sufficient family sanctuary
dedicated to sustainability, alternate energy development and
western-style ranch family values |
In the late 19th century, not long after the dust of the Civil War had settled and nearly three decades before the First World War, another battle raged. Quiet, but no less deadly, the war began not over politics, but survival. Centered on two families who braved the remote and untamed Wild West to build a new life and legacy, the Pleasant Valley War turned the picturesque valleys and the Mogollon Rim forest areas of Arizona into a battlefield where men and women, hired assassins and animals were daily casualties. On the surface, the war seemed focused on land and water and grazing rights, but at the heart of the conflict lay an idea far more basic: family. Each family fought to protect themselves–their way of life, their loved ones–for future generations. Over a century later, the land still speaks of their legacy. To avoid their mistakes and embrace both land and life, one ranch now epitomizes these lessons, sharing its tale of history, with an emphasis on enhancement of the environment and, most importantly, the love of family.
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| Four-beam log fence entirely constructed from approximately 30,000 recycled trees too small for market value. |
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The perimeter and pasture fencing is a rustic touch with old-fashioned character and a true masterpiece that changes with the seasons. |
| More than a desert dotted with cactus, Arizona features a striking, almost playful character reflected in its wildlife, topography and the vast ranchland. Similarly, the Dutch Joe Ranch features a unique profile that cleverly combines the historical with modern environmental and sustainable emphasis. Completely bordered by a four-beam log fence entirely constructed from recycled trees too small for market value, the perimeter and pasture fencing is a rustic touch with old-fashioned character and a true masterpiece that changes with the seasons—a rust-colored beauty in the summer and a silent snow-draped sentinel in the winter. Set atop the majestic Mogollon Rim that cuts its way through Arizona’s diverse and picturesque landscape, this approximately 42,000-acre legacy ranch, which is a combination of privately owned and U.S. forest-grazing permits, defines history in the making and a testament to the history of the classic family ranch—with a unique twist. |
Basically, the Ranch is, and has always been,
an operating cattle and horse ranch.
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| “Every ranch is unique,” said Richard E. Bunger, founder and owner of the Dutch Joe Ranch and REB Properties, LLC. “But the Dutch Joe Ranch is something altogether different. The research, the approach, the planning, the development, the talent, the innovation—it’s a dedication to detail and a passion for creating something different, something entirely off grid and totally ‘sustainable’ in all its energy requirements, and in food production and food storage.” |
| Richard E. Bunger’s inspiration comes from his great-grandfather who settled in Arizona at the turn of the century and moved his brothers and their families into the high-timber area of east-central Arizona. The family, with many others, participated in moving over 600,000 head of cattle onto the land during that time. Bunger (who has numerous personal patents and was the founder of a very successful international NASDAQ-listed public company) has a passion for livestock, timber and land in his blood. Educated in product development, timber, agriculture, and business, Bunger was inspired to use his accumulated knowledge and experience to better the environment and to use his development skills to demonstrate workable and practical sustainability concepts while at the same time creating a stable base to further family unity and family values. Creatively working with the U.S. Forest Service and Arizona Game and Fish Department, and having a past working relationship with legendary John Wayne, Bunger has used his skills and experience to enhance and share his dream with other individuals and families interested in actively participating in the Western ranching heritage with an emphasis on environmental issues and practical sustainability, family unity and family values. |
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The Dutch Joe Ranch was created to protect my most valuable asset: my extended family.
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“Sustainability is a tricky term. People talk about ‘green’ living, but I expand the meaning of sustainability to mean protecting my most valuable asset: my extended family,” said Bunger. “The Dutch Joe was created for them and for other like-minded individuals, families, and their descendents—a place to come and feel at peace with nature. Every Ranch innovation in foresting, mining, food production, energy development, and environmental enhancement ensures their safety and provides everything they need in their own backyard. Said in another way: their sustainability.” |
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Dutch Joe Ranch enjoys total independence from utility companies by
producing
electrical power via a network of solar panels and some wind power with backup generators.
Cell phone and Internet services are available through a
Ranch-owned private tower, and commercial digital cellular repeaters. Internet and television are available via satellite systems. |
| Unlike most ranches, the Dutch Joe lies completely off the grid and enjoys total independence of power via a network of solar panels and some wind power with backup generators. Steam-powered electrical generation is under development. Cell phone and Internet services are available through a Ranch-owned private tower, and commercial digital cellular repeaters. and satellite systems provide Internet and television. |
| In addition, the Ranch can provide residents with beef from the extensive cattle herd, and plentiful fish are available from the numerous stocked lakes. Egg production and vegetable production is under development. The lake system, created with local materials secured from the Ranch mining program, includes six current lakes, as well as six more proposed lakes, and is distinctly designed and landscaped to take advantage of the diverse terrain and carefully planned to maximize both fish habitat and boating and fisherman’s access. The extensive fish and lake management programs also have created the finest fishing in the state. The rainbow trout, channel catfish, largemouth bass, crappie and purebred blue gill are managed through a carefully balanced food supplement diet. A fish hatchery is planned for the future. Says Bunger, “Our fishing policy is ‘catch-and-release,’ with all net income generated from this program going to the Ranch Environmental Fund.” |
The extensive fish and lake management programs are reputed to be the finest fishing in the state.
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Dutch Joe Ranch forestry personnel have
performed extensive forest restoration and remediation on Ranch properties. |
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This
4-wheel drive rig is equipped with two large water cannons and 1” 100’ long
reel-type high-pressure hoses which are mounted on both sides.
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Over the years, hundreds of thousands of acres of dense forests surrounding the Ranch had seen their share of neglect, allowing large amounts of brush and smaller trees to dominate in an unhealthy, fire-prone fashion. Dutch Joe Ranch forestry personnel have performed extensive forest restoration on Ranch properties, and R.E.B. Properties has provided funds to the U.S. Forest Service to perform forest restoration in thousands of acres of nearby U.S. National forests. Restoration includes thinning the trees, removing dried brush and overall enhancing the health of the forest, as well as reducing the frequency of wildfires that not only endanger the plants and wildlife, but also Ranch residents. “Dutch Joe Ranch is reputed to be the most fire-defensible property in the Apache-Sitgreaves Forest. It’s another method of sustainability,” said Bunger. “Having healthy lake and forest environments protects the land and the people, just another way for me to ensure that my family and all those who call the Dutch Joe home stay protected. More than anything, I want the Ranch to entertain and teach the younger generations the values of respecting the environment and each other.” |
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| We can teach our residents to drive a one or four horse-drawn wagon or even a six horse-drawn restored original Butterfield stagecoach. |
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The Ranch encourages and is developing a program to train residents in the safe, responsible and environmentally conscious use of ATVs and mountain bikes. |
| In light of that philosophy, the Dutch Joe Ranch is developing numerous training and activity programs for those just taking their first steps into the outdoors and veterans who have worked the land for years. “The Ranch is more than just for working; I want everyone to experience the land, and have a little fun in the process. We can teach our residents to drive a one- to four-horse-drawn wagon or even a six-horse-drawn stagecoach. The Ranch encourages and is developing a program to train residents in the responsible and environmentally conscious use of ATVs and mountain bikes. Everyone, at any age, deserves to get their hands dirty and play cowboy,” said Bunger. “With the right opportunities, you might even decide to play for life.” |
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Looking at the Ranch’s 74,880 multi-purpose barn and training facility, one instantly gets a sense of the size and scale of the Ranch’s amenities. |
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Residents and their guests can also enjoy an old-fashioned hayride to Dutch Joe’s sister ranch, the Mogollon Mountain Ranch |
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The Ranch owns a large collection of vintage vehicles,
which
include a variety of horse-drawn buggies, wagons and stage coaches. |
| Starting at the multi-purpose barn and training facility, one instantly gets a sense of the size and scale of the Ranch’s amenities. At 74,880-covered-square feet, the barn offers adequate space and the perfect year-round venue for horse training, Ranch rodeo events, family gatherings and large-scale Ranch events. The activities spill into the outdoors and onto the custom ATV training course and shooting range. In addition to the customized nine-person, six-wheeled ATVs, Bunger individually owns a larger collection of vintage vehicles, which include a variety of horse-drawn buggies, wagons and stage coaches, all perfect for a leisurely tour. These vintage conveyances will be available under contract for Ranch use. Residents and guests can also enjoy an old-fashioned hayride to Dutch Joe’s sister ranch, the Mogollon Mountain Ranch, a nine-mile journey that winds through a breathtaking landscape of dense forests, sparkling creeks, mountain views and endless verdant valleys that color the Arizona landscape in striking hues. Trail rides with horses, ATVs, mountain bikes, or just hiking can be enjoyed on many miles of Ranch trails or on trails within the millions of acres of the surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves forest. |
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| Becoming a Ranchowner is about more than just owning an Undivided Interest in the total Ranch. |
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Water pumped from Tower Lake creates an artificial waterfall with four pondlets. |
The Dutch Joe Ranch does more than just sit amidst the beauty, it has become a part of it, fueling the richness of the land and seducing all who visit to stay for a lifetime. Yet, becoming an owner is about more than just owning a 1- or 36-acre Ranchstead, it is a dedication to practical consideration and sustainability–in all its broad meanings–for individuals, for families, and every following generation. |
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Kids getting into canoes on Big Dutch Joe Lake. |
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Safety vests are worn for all boating activities. |
| “I didn’t create the Dutch Joe as a temporary investment. My family and I plan to live here and fully participate in all aspects of the Ranch’s development. Individuals and families who invest as ‘undivided-interest owners’ are in for the long term. They can purchase an undivided interest in a 1- or 36-acre Ranchstead.” said Bunger. “I want to welcome anyone who has a passion for the environment and sustainability and who desires to build a place where their family can feel protected and provided for in these uncertain times, a place their grandchildren can experience, anyone who wants to work hard in the present to invest in the future.” |
Architect's rendering of the future development project: Dutch Joe Ranch Lodge |
| In fact, the future at the Ranch is already starting to show incredible promise. In addition to the Phase I amenities and features already in place, the planned developments and future development opportunities are exciting and far-reaching. Even as the current plans thrive, Richard Bunger plans to lead his engineering, architectural, and construction teams to new projects that will even further enhance the Dutch Joe. “Make no mistake, potential lies everywhere,” said Bunger. “Every day is a new discovery and opportunity for further environmental and sustainable developments–with family always in mind.” |
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Ranch Founder and CEO, Richard E. "Reb" Bunger.
Even as the current plans thrive, Richard Bunger plans to lead his teams to new projects that will even further enhance the Dutch Joe. “Potential lies everywhere. Every day is a new discovery and opportunity for further environmental and sustainable developments abound–with individual rights and family always in mind.” |
| Suspended directly overhead amidst the clear Arizona sky, the sun casts the first afternoon rays upon the forest as Richard Bunger strolls to the edge of the Ranch. Resting a foot on the bottom rail, Richard rests upon the bark-roughened fence and silently views the land beyond. The lush forest appears as always, but today, something catches his keen eye. Hopping the fence, he hikes through the grass and falls to a knee. Pushing back the brush and tree limbs, he reveals a solitary tombstone. Aged by years of neglect and the unforgiving elements, the discolored stone is etched with a solemn message: Will Erixson - Kil - July 1883. Once, lives were lost here. Once, families were torn. Once, the land suffered. Today, the Earth still speaks, the pioneer legacy still lives and families thrive at the Dutch Joe Ranch. |
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