MISSION:
In 2026, the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches is celebrating 50 years of providing hope, healing and a place to call home for thousands of Arkansas children. Founded in 1976 by the sheriffs of Arkansas, the ranch cares for boys and girls who have been abandoned, abused or neglected, and come to the ranch through no fault of their own.
The Youth Ranch sits on a beautiful 600-acre campus on the banks of the White River just west of Batesville. Boys and girls live in large family homes, cared for by loving houseparents who raise them like their own. The ranch’s transformative foster care program provides every child with proper healthcare, educational opportunities and the experience of caring for pigs, goats and other animals in its educational farm program.
The Youth Ranch is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is 100% privately funded and a 100% free service to children in crisis. It gives boys and girls who have experienced trauma a second chance to be a kid, while also giving them the stability and resources they need to grow into caring and responsible young men and women.
Raising a child is an expensive undertaking, especially when you raise as many as Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches does!
Above: Ranchers give Entergy Arkansas CEO Laura Landreaux a closer look at the cattle in the Ranch’s educational farm program. At top: Ranch boys and girls are able to enjoy the outdoors on the Youth Ranches’ beautiful 600-acre campus.
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES:
- A monthly gift of just $25 can provide new shoes for up to six children.
- $420 can outfit a rancher with everything they need for the school year.
- $750 can feed one cottage of eight Ranchers for one month.
FUNDRAISERS AND EVENTS:
- The 31st annual Arkansas Children’s Award Dinner will honor Laura Landreaux, CEO of Entergy Arkansas, Oct. 26, 2026, at the Little Rock Marriott.
- Double your donation to Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2026, thanks to matching gift donors!
The Youth Ranches’ professional houseparents care for Ranchers in their home, where they eat family meals together and teach life skills.
OUR IMPACT:
2,300 Boys and Girls
Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches has been home to more than 2,300 boys and girls from every corner of the state.
A Second Chance
Most children are admitted to the Youth Ranches due to parental drug abuse or neglect.
100% Free
The Youth Ranches are a 100% free service to children in crisis and never charge for its services.
100% Privately Funded
The Youth Ranches are a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is 100% privately funded.
Two New Homes
The Youth Ranches opened two new homes in the last two years, thanks to generous donors!
FUNDING SOURCES:
- Charitable Contributions: 74%
- Trust & Endowment Income: 23%
- Farm, Rental & Other Earned Revenue: 3%
100 Saint Vincent Place
Batesville, AR 72501
870.793.6841 | youthranches.com | Facebook | Instagram | X
Established: 1976
Employees: 22
Service Area: Arkansas
Leadership: CEO: Nancy Fulton, LCSW
Board of Trustees:
Ray Dillon, President
Scott Bradley, First Vice President
James Smith, Second Vice President
Brent Stevenson, Secretary/Treasurer
Micah Beard
Kathleen Bell
Sheriff Neal Byrd
Christie Clark
Dr. Tyler Griffin
Sheriff Eric Higgins
Sheriff Phillip Miller
Laura Nix
Sheriff Phil Reynolds
Marge Schueck
Sheriff James Singleton
Stu Smith
Sheriff John Staley
Sheriff Shawn Stephens
Larry Stone
Sheriff Glenn Wheeler
The 2026/2027 Arkansas Giving Guide is presented by Wright Lindsey Jennings. Click here to read a letter from our sponsors.