Sum Ranch began the way a lot of dangerous hobbies do: with a few animals and a slightly unrealistic level of optimism.

Adam had owned this little patch of Northern New Mexico land for decades, building a life rooted in the outdoors, conservation, hunting, fishing, and generations of ranch knowledge. Then in 2023, Jo Leeann arrived with dreams of a personal petting zoo, fresh eggs, and maybe a small garden. Things escalated quickly.

What started with six chickens somehow became goats, Muscovy ducks, KuneKune pigs, breeding projects, incubators, hatch days, and a rapidly growing flock participating in what poultry people lovingly call “Chicken Math.” Together, we built Sum Ranch around a shared love of animals, sustainability, ethical breeding, good food, and life connected to the land and seasons of Northern New Mexico.

These days, mornings start with coffee, feed buckets, and impatient animals demanding breakfast, while evenings revolve around collecting eggs, coop rounds, and convincing everybody to go where they belong before dark. Clementine, our adopted former feral cat turned tiny ranch supervisor, takes evening flock patrol very seriously. Sadie, our chocolate lab, mostly follows everyone around hoping snacks are involved. The hairless cats remain deeply unconvinced they live on a working ranch.

Today, Sum Ranch focuses on ethically raising ADGA Nigerian Dwarf goats through our Luna Azul herd program, along with colorful farm eggs, hatching eggs, Muscovy ducks, and carefully developed breeding projects including Ayam Cemani, Black Copper Marans, Easter Eggers, and AKKPS KuneKune pigs.

When we are not building coops or checking incubators (mostly Adam building coops), we are usually somewhere outside exploring New Mexico’s rivers, mountains, lakes, hot springs, and backroads. Adam actually fishes. Jo Leeann mostly wanders around collecting rocks, feathers, bones, and whatever strange little treasure the landscape decided to leave behind that day.

We are still learning as we go, and honestly, that is part of the magic.

To meet the animals, explore our breeding programs, and see what is currently available from the ranch, visit the Animals page.