East Tennessee
The Russell Ranch
Where purposetakes root.
A private ranch experience where connection, responsibility, education and hands-on engagement become catalysts for meaningful growth.
Russell Ranch partners with organizations, programs, families, and communities to create customized experiences that bring people beyond traditional settings and into something real. Through animals, land, purposeful activity, skill-building, education and service, every experience is intentionally designed around the people we serve and the outcomes that matter.
By appointment • Purpose driven • Community connected
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Individualized by DesignEvery experience begins with the individual, their needs, and the goals that matter most.
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Rooted in the RanchAnimals, land, meaningful activity, and authentic connection create space for growth and engagement.
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Purpose in ActionHands-on experiences turn responsibility, service, connection, and practical skills into meaningful progress.
In Shannon’s words
What the Russell Ranch is.
Shannon explains how the Ranch can work alongside organizations, programs, families, and communities through customized experiences rooted in real people, real needs, and practical connection.
This recorded message shares Shannon’s vision. The Ranch team confirms current details and next steps.
Explore a few of the animals
Connection comes in many forms.
Meet a few of the animals who call the Ranch home—each with their own story, personality, and way of connecting. From our largest residents to our smallest, every encounter creates an opportunity for curiosity, responsibility, compassion, and genuine connection.
ARanch experiences
Experiences designed with intention.
Customized ranch experiences built around your organization’s goals, participants, priorities, and budget.
Explore experiences
BMeet the animals
Where connection becomes experience.
Discover the diverse animals of Russell Ranch and the meaningful role they play in building connection, responsibility, confidence, and engagement.
Discover the Ranch
CGive to the Ranch
Help care for the Ranch and its community.
Explore financial giving and how to offer useful materials for advance review.
See ways to give
Family built.Team carried.
Meet the founders
Built by a family.Carried forward by a team.
Steven and Shannon Russell built the Ranch by bringing together construction, entrepreneurship, animals, land, resourcefulness, and a shared belief that difficult beginnings do not have to determine what comes next. Their family and the Russell Recovery Ranch team continue that work together.
Meet Steven, Shannon & the teamGather with us
Upcoming & recent events
Life at the Ranch
Real land. Real animals.A closer look.
Move through everyday Ranch moments, then select any photograph for a closer view.
Start where you are