About Us

Folks often ask what we do other than having some French Brittanys. We are blessed to have a full life and part of it is our real farm, which is also where we do much of our dog things. I also spent near 37 years as an agricultural consultant, researcher, an agricultural speaker prior to retirement. We continue some of that activity in our farm and grass seed business.

Statistics reveal that less than 2% of farm and ranch country transfers to the second generation. And, less than 1% transfers to the third generation. We are fortunate to be in these percentages. We were born, reared, worked, and will die aggies.

Half of our "Elstel Farm" was formerly my parents place and where I grew up from the age of four. Dad's name was Elmer and Mom's Stella, thus Elstel Farm. And, the other half was my Grandparent Dalrymple's original homestead.

Grandpa and Grandma and four young children came to Western Oklahoma in a covered wagon in about 1900, staked out their claim in the Arapaho/Cheyenne Indian country, raised their family, and died owning the farm and with a few pennies left in the blank. What more could one ask for?

Grandpa's 160 acre claim consisted of about 50 to 60 acres of arable (farmable) land and the rest was rangeland and creeks. The rangeland was good buffalo range of mid and tall prairie grasses. The two creeks were perennial spring fed streams with one having the initial spring on his land.

Someone asked Grandpa why he claimed that land and not some "smoother farmland" available. Remember that this settlement was 1900. Little was known of the area potential and water available. The settlers goal was to provide shelter and food for his family and be able to pay his creditors. Grandpa's answer was, "This place had spring fed water year long, tall grass for the cattle, horses, and mules, and enough good land to farm crops and a garden. We did not know if the flat land had water for a well." He was correct. At that time, there was no thoughts of radio, TV, cars, tractors, etc.

My Dad was born in an earth bank dugout where he lived the first three years of his young life. Times are better now, aren't they? Sometimes I wonder.

The farm is a producing farm, with a recreational value and dedication, too. It is about 1/3 virgin native prairie in the "Rolling Red Prairie" region, thus our kennel name. It is about 1 /3 planted introduced pasture/conservation grasses, and the remaining 1/3 is arable (farming) land. We employ that land for cropping and grass seed production. All areas are dog friendly training areas. There are some wild Bob White quail in the native range and creek areas.

We hope you enjoy some of the vistas.