John joined Hall and Hall to set up and run our Kansas office in 2010. He has marketed farms, ranches, equestrian centers, cattle feed yards, and agricultural water rights throughout Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona. Born and raised in Kansas, John grew up around ranching and ranch real estate. John attended Kansas State University, became a licensed pilot and joined his father at Doug Wildin & Associates Ranch Brokers in 1978. Since then he has successfully marketed hundreds of thousands of acres of farm and ranch real estate. He has spent his career developing personal and business relationships with many agricultural producers throughout the United States and serving their real estate needs in an ethical and service oriented manner. His decades of farming and ranching experience served as a background for his broad working knowledge of all phases of livestock and farm production agriculture. John loves the outdoors and relishes time spent at his second home in the Colorado mountains. John resides in Hutchinson, Kansas and has two grown children.
The EE Ranch, located in eastern Kansas near the town of Fall River, is now being offered for sale. The ranch is comprised of 6,420.29± acres of deeded land, predominantly open vistas of native tallgrasses where the east flank of the Kansas Flint Hills joins the west flank of the Chautauqua Hills. Used primarily over the last 75 years as a cow ranch, in 1994, the current owner created an amazing infrastructure that propelled the ranch upwards as a leader in the purebred Hereford world. With 18 pastures watered by 26 ponds, some spring-fed, along with Shawnee Creek on the property's west side and rural water at the headquarters and houses, this ranch is a real working outfit. The wildlife habitat on the ranch is lush and unburdened by public access. There are several large draws filled with hardwood trees, large rock formations, and numerous food plots that are home to Boone & Crockett trophy bucks.
The ranch was originally divided into 18 pastures, plus traps, wing fences, and several hay meadows. Many of the exterior and interior fences are generally in good condition. The newer fences were constructed with t-posts, four-and-a-half-inch pipe corners, two-and-seven-eighths-inch braces, six-wire barbed wire , and swinging pipe gates.
The headquarters is well laid out with a sale barn, with four-and-a-half-inch pipe pens set about to connect the various barns and traps for efficient cattle handling processes and a covered working chute and pens. There are two metal calving barns, three metal cattle sheds, and two enclosed hay barns. In addition, there are two machine sheds (open on one side), a metal shop building, and six overhead bulk storage bins. There are four houses at the headquarters. The “Big House” is 2,272± square feet. The owners used this historic home over the years and has a tunnel connecting it to a detached small house called the “apartment.” Severely damaged by a fire in the mid-90s, the house was fully rebuilt. The “Lodge” is 3,472± square feet in size and is a rustic two-story home constructed of sandstone and cedar. It has served as the manager’s home for the last 20 years.
Three metal-enclosed hay barns are located on the ranch, plus a good set of covered working pens with a manual squeeze chute. Towards the northwest corner of the ranch are two well-appointed houses along the township road that are being used as rentals. There is an additional rental home on the southeast corner of the ranch on Highway 400.
The striking topographical relief across the ranch belies some of nature’s most beautiful scenery. The rolling hills covered with tall grasses and sprinkled with wildflowers become mixed with the hardwood trees as you head down into the draws. The deep canyons, some with huge rock formations, are populated with natural springs. Shawnee Creek comes through the west side of the ranch on its way down to Fall River.
The sale of the EE Ranch at Fall River, Kansas, is an opportunity for someone to buy a historical cow ranch that has been maintained in excellent grazing conditions. Around 70 percent of this 6,420.29± acre ranch is open rolling hills of the highly productive native tallgrass prairie. The annual beef pounds gained from the different varieties of these grasses, where no fertilizer is needed, is why this country is so desirable in the cattle business. The headquarters is well laid out, with a vast array of pipe fencing and numerous metal structures for efficient and fluid cattle handling. The meticulously designed headquarters has been maintained in good condition. With seven houses around the ranch (four of which are at the headquarters), this ranch is set up to work.
Less than 30 percent of the land on this ranch is in the tree-lined draws. With the limited public road access on this ranch, these secluded draws provide a tremendous wildlife sanctuary. There have been numerous large trophy-size whitetail deer harvested by the family that measured out around the 200-class size. There are good-sized food plots scattered down through the draws, along with flowing and ponded water sources. These draws provide excellent winter cover for livestock as well as wildlife.
The EE Ranch is a captivating, top-quality, all-contiguous tract of land located in the heart of the tallgrass prairie system. Esthetically, it is a stunning sight to behold when one drives through the headquarters and out onto the rolling hills of grass. The EE Ranch is truly one of a kind.
The EE Ranch, less than three miles away from the friendly small town of Fall River, is located approximately 70 miles east of Wichita on Highway 400. Regional cities include Tulsa, Oklahoma, just 125 miles south of the ranch; Kansas City, 150 miles to the north and northeast; and Joplin, Missouri, is around 110 miles to the east and southeast. The ranch lies in part of Greenwood and Wilson Counties.
The EE Ranch is located in the east sector of Greenwood County and the west sector of Wilson County. It is predominantly an agricultural-based area with a small-town rural lifestyle feel. Two main east/west state highways cross this area, along with one main north/south state highway.
Recreation is a strong draw in this region, with an emphasis on hunting, fishing, hiking and biking, and water-related activities. The breathtaking beauty of these rolling Flint Hills, with the native prairie grasses that are speckled with the many varieties of wildflowers. Without question, it is one of the areas of Kansas known for the “Big Buck” and is designated as Kansas Deer Management Unit 12.
In this immediate area, Toronto Lake is about six miles north of the ranch, and Cross Timbers State Park adjoins this 2,800-acre lake. This is a very popular area for outdoor recreation. Fall River Lake is about four miles west of the ranch. The Fall River Game Management area at the lake covers over 10,900 acres. The lake itself covers around 2,300 acres in total. Bird watching, exploring, fishing, and many more recreational activities make this lake popular for families and those seeking to be outdoors in a beautiful, unspoiled setting.
The EE Ranch is a testament to the natural attributes of the tallgrass prairie system. This tallgrass prairie system is representative of the bulk of the remaining acres of native tallgrass prairie in this country. Originally, there were over 140 million acres of this unique ecosystem, but only four percent of that remains, and it has been protected naturally by the predominate rocky soil. This rich soil sits on thick layers of the Mississippian rocks that include sandstone, limestone, shale, and others. The Chautauqua Hills and Flint Hills produce naturally rich native grasses that cattle easily gain weight on. These hills are dominated by numerous springs and creeks in the many draws and meadows scattered with healthy stands of hardwood trees, all of which provide unmatched habitat for the numerous wildlife species, including whitetail deer, turkey, and upland game birds.
The average high temperature in January is 43 degrees, and the average high temperature in July is 90 degrees. The average annual precipitation is 40 inches and includes nine inches of snow. The ranch averages around 185 frost-free days yearly.
The ranch's elevation ranges from 900 feet ASL along the creek bottom to 1,130 feet ASL on the highest hills.
Headquarters:
Ranch Pasture Buildings:
Additional Houses (not at Headquarters):
Numerous fresh spring-fed ponds that dot the ranch from one end to the other provide fresh water for the livestock. Buildings and waterers at the headquarters, plus all the houses, are on rural water.
The seller is reserving one-half (50%) of the mineral rights under the ranch.
Property taxes for 2024: $46,399
The EE Ranch is loaded with all things related to hunting and recreation. There is very limited public road access to or through the ranch, nor any other sort of public access areas along the property boundaries. The huge draws provide a haven for the wildlife after bedding down overnight in the over 4,000 acres of native grass. There are plenty of springs and spring-fed ponds, as well as hardwood tree cover and interspersed food plots. Historically, the only pressure on hunting came from the out-of-state owner’s family and friends.
The recreational component of the EE Ranch is almost limitless. The rolling hills covered in various species of native tall grasses and wildflowers can take your breath away. Hike down through the canyons covered in the huge hardwood trees that tower over the large rock formations that make you want to explore every one of them. Stand and marvel at the huge rock formation with the ever-constant waterfall, whether it’s a small trickle surrounded by fall colors or an immense cascade of water from a recent downpour. The birdwatching in this private sanctuary is incredible. Tie your horse up for a few minutes and try to take it all in.
The EE Ranch has been a cow/calf ranch for over 75 years, except after the owner’s death in 2010, at which time the cowherd was moved to another family ranch out of state. Going forward, it was decided only to take in stocker cattle for the summer season. The houses were prepped as rentals except for the one home reserved for family use.
This 240± acre ranch is located in the heart of the Kansas Flint Hills. A quiet serenity with a beautiful limestone house. Peaceful, productive, and a true recreational gem.
The 4,936± acre Spur Ranch, in two separate tracts, is on the southeastern edge of the Kansas Flint Hills. Excellent tallgrass prairie, good water, fences, and trophy whitetail hunting. Mineral rights available.
The 2,892± acre North Greenwood Ranch is in the heart of the Kansas Flint Hills. Excellent tallgrass prairie. Open rolling hills with good water and fences. Growing season is 185 days.
10,793± acre Spring Creek Ranch in the heart of the widely known Kansas Flint Hills. Excellent cow/calf and stocker cattle operation ranch with trophy whitetail deer hunting.
Located 120 miles southwest of Kansas City in the heart of the Kansas Flint Hills, this scenic 3,300± acre tallgrass ranch is the crown jewel of America’s remaining unbroken native prairie land.
