About The Ranch
The Bar Q Ranch was formed in 1884 in central Nebraska with a homestead claim. Over years, the different generations added onto the original homestead. The farm grew crops, raised animals, and was home to several families.
During its tenure in Nebraska, the family used a BAR Q brand on it's livestock. After generations of farming, the farm was sold to a new family that is now the caretaker of the beautiful, mid-western landscape.
While the original homestead may not be in the family anymore, a new homestead was formed right here in King George, Virginia in 1980 when the Foreman of the ranch moved here with his son, the current Head Ranch Hand.
Just like the original homestead, the Eastern Branch of the Bar Q Ranch has grown over the years. The property has expanded three times since then to include more crop land, a stream, and several buildings.
While many ranchers may not consider us a ranch (we technically don't have animals), we like to have a good laugh at ourselves while we cut wood, plant crops, and build things around the properties. Our primary crops are the basics of corn, tomatoes, and beans for our family and friends. But we also manufacture and sell leather goods (and a few other products) to help keep the ranch afloat.
About The Ranchers
Although the Bar Q Ranch Foreman is in his 80s, he continues to work the land alongside his son and grandchildren. The Head Ranch Hand is proud to have raised his children in King George and, even though his children have careers outside of the ranch, his son helps manage the ranch's online store while his daughter is in charge of crop maintenance. To help protect the legacy of the new generation, the Foreman has asked that everyone's identity remain anonymous.
Even though the Head Ranch Hand is involved in numerous activities, he has carved out a sliver of free time to pursue leatherworking. He learned this trade from his Great Uncle and, although he's not a professional, he loves trying new patterns and techniques all in an effort to improve his skills. His daughter has continued the leatherworking legacy by creating earrings and other jewelry.
About Our Products
All of the Bar Q leather products have been handmade. This means the painting, stitching, stamping, and dying has all been done by hand. This also means that each piece is unique and may bear minor imperfections or differences from other pieces.
Customized and personalized items can be special ordered.
About Our Future
We don’t really know what the future holds but we do our best to plan for all possibilities. This means that we try to use sustainable products and re-use items we already have to keep them out of landfills. A good example of this is re-using a tie to line a leather wallet.
We also do our best to use things from the ranch. The best place to see this is our homemade walnut stain that we manufacture from our own black walnut tree. It’s a great stain but unfortunately you can only buy it in person!
Aside from our thoughts on reducing our footprint and reusing what we have, we’re also working towards making our improvements evergreen so that future generations have less to worry about. And, if we’re lucky, we can continue to expand the ranch to allow for more room for future families.
Our Social Media Policy
To put things simply, we're not on social media. We have made a business decision to engage with customers in real life. Our products are handmade so it only makes sense that we talk to our customers in-person.
On a personal level, many of us at the Bar Q Ranch have taken a step back from social media platforms in an effort to live a more holistic and wholesome life.
Regardless of how you use, or don't use, social media, please know that this is the only website where you'll find us online [and maybe some YouTube videos if you know where to look].