Max and Russ in Oklahoma City
The Hi-7 Ranch is not only a place, but also an attitude. As I travel the world, I am reminded of my childhood days. Three generations ago, my family began putting this piece of property together until it has grown to what it is today.
My grandfather took the place seriously and we had the typical Oklahoma mixed farm: horses, cows, ducks, chickens, pigs, sometimes peafowl, guinea fowl, other assorted creatures and a large garden. Looking back, it is really amazing the bounty that came from the place. Unfortunately, American political decisions have ensured the death of the family farm and made it virtually impossible for any agriculture to take place (except for Conagra and Archer-Daniels Midlands, who are encouraged through extensive subsidies and a lack of markets and credit facilities for anyone who tries to challenge the corporate wave of the future.)
Rusty and Billy, ca 1966
My grandparents are gone, but my parents are still there. As I am sent again and again to work overseas, I hold out the dream of one day returning and, just maybe, finding a way to make this potentially productive property flourish again. The odds are against me (and every other family that dreams of a working farm again) but I pray I get a chance to try.
As for the name, it came about in the sixties. I don’t remember who actually thought of it, but I believe it was my father. HI from the initials of my mother’s and father’s family. Seven from the number in the families at the time. Seven has always meant something special to me, and regardless of the current population of the ranch, seven will stick.
