About | Farmland Fun - Your dairy farmer hosts at Farmland Fun

About Us

The Rancks have been hosting visitors and sharing a "day in the life of a farmer" with visitors at Verdant View Farm since 1975, and Don's parents hosted guests before that since 1967.

Don & Ginny Ranck came to farm at Verdant View after Don's parents decided to retire from farming in 1975. At the time, Don & Ginny had been living in Recife, Brazil, after spending five years there working in agricultural and community development. Don studied at Penn State University, where he got a B.S. in agricultural science and education. Ginny is a licensed practical nurse.

The Rancks have raised 4 children at Verdant View. Their elder son, Eldon, lives locally, builds cellular towers and he and his wife Tammy are raising three beautiful daughters: Katelyn, Adrianne and Olivia, who are often found helping out at the farm. Heather Andrea, their elder daughter, works for the US Commercial Service (US Department of Commerce) as an International Trade Specialist in Fargo, North Dakota. She is also the webmaster for Farmland Fun. Aaron, their second son, a graduate of Ursinus College, obtained his masters degree at Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey. Elisa, the second daughter, and her husband Patrick, live in Washington, DC and travel the world together.

You may also meet with friendly staff members Lydia, Dirk or Matt. Lydia has been a fixture at Verdant View since 1980. Dirk has three nationalities (American, Brazilian and German) and has been working at Verdant View since 1999. Matt is a civil war buff and has been at Verdant View since 1999.

Both Don and Ginny are active in community activities. They attend Witmer Heights Mennonite Church in Smoketown, Pa. Don is a Rotarian, an elected township supervisor, vice-chair of the Lancaster County Farm Bureau, and was elected to the corporate board of Land O' Lakes Cooperative. Ginny was elected to the Pequea Valley School Board, she is on the Lancaster County Dairy Promotion Committee, she is on the Mennonite Information Center Board, but she is never "bored" at home!

For over 30 years the Rancks have enjoyed sharing their agricultural experiences with visitors. They have hosted visitors from all over the United States, Canada, Germany, France, England, South Africa, Congo, Brazil, Israel, Vietnam, Japan, Australia and many other countries. International guests are welcome at Farmland Fun. The Rancks speak Portuguese and some Spanish.

Farmland Fun is one of the few places in the world where you can truly get a "slice of Paradise" here on Earth.The Rancks and the friendly staff at Verdant View love to answer questions about agriculture, dairy farming, Amish / Mennonite culture, Lancaster County, international comparisons of food production, the history of the farm, or anything else or anything else that may arouse your curiosity.

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