This American Farm Family is #StillRanching in Idaho after 123 years and five generations

Today, the Breugmans grow wheat, canola, and hay and raise cattle in their century-old ranching operation in Grangeville, Idaho.

Overlooking some of the beautiful mountains in Grangeville, Idaho, Ken and Jill Breugeman farm on a 123-year-old operation that Ken’s great-great-grandfather started. The Idaho Farm Bureau introduces us to this week’s American Farm Family.

“Whether that’s a family folktale or what—but supposedly, he came over with basically nothing from Ireland, and within a period of five or six years, he was able to purchase the original part of the ranch,” Ken explains. “We’ll be fifth generation.”

Today, the Breugmans grow wheat, canola, and hay and raise cattle.

“Agriculture is important, you know?“ Ken continues. “There’s such a bad perception. I want the community to know that we’re here to raise cattle and crops in a healthy way. This ground’s been in our family for over 100 years, so we want to take care of it and be stewards of it. We’re not going to do things that will damage it and harm it, and you know, make it so we can’t pass it down to the next generation. We want the legacy to continue and not end with us. We’re just out here doing what we love every day -- that is always the bottom line to people.”

The Idaho Farm Bureau has over 10,000 member families involved in farming or ranching, just like Ken and Jill.

Related Stories
While the U.S.-China framework for soybean trade is in place, Ohio farmer Chris Gibbs tells us he will believe it when he sees it.
The Farm Bureau urges trade enforcement, biofuel growth, fair input pricing, and pro-farmer policy reforms to restore long-term certainty.
The Sheinbaum–Rollins meeting signals progress, but the focus remains on fully containing screwworm before cross-border movement resumes.
Wheat futures briefly hit a three-month high before retreating as the markets wait for word on whether the deal will actually happen.
Expect modest relief on several produce lines, mixed protein trends into holiday buying, and softer veg-oil costs — a good week to sharpen forward buys selectively.
A strong corn export pull is supportive of bids; soybeans need steady vessel programs or fresh sales to firm cash.
RFD-TV’s farm legal expert, Roger McEowen, digs into the details of both the LRP and the LGM programs, two essential risk management tools for cattle producers.
An import lag for ground beef will likely look different than last year’s egg shortage. The difference comes down to biosecurity and market flexibility.
China’s grain expansion model may be hitting its limit. Lower prices, high rents, and policy fatigue threaten future output — with ripple effects across global feed and oilseed markets.

Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
Expert gearheads Kevin Byrd and Willie B have a wealth of technical knowledge and a passion to share it each week on Two Guys Garage.
Coop Dreams
“Green Acres” meets “Home Improvement” in this refreshing, informative unscripted lifestyle series depicting the hilarious adventures of a suburban family gone rural.
Washington farmers grow more than 300 different crops and raise a variety of different animals, and Washington is also home to some of the greatest culinary experiences in America. Whether inside the kitchen or out in the field, at the end of the day, it’s all about the food!