There are some things that all the folks here at the Imperial Stock Ranch share in common: humble, hard-working roots, a feeling for tradition, and a belief in the importance of family. Loving nature and animals, and holding a deep commitment to the land, they don’t mind living this far from town. They believe the texture of ranch life is worth it.

DAN CARVER

Dan grew up in Tillamook County on a small beef and timber ranch. Throughout his childhood, he tagged along with his father, a true “desert rat,” into the Owyhee country whenever they had the chance. They shared a love of the desert country and those trips fostered the beginnings of a dream Dan would pursue his entire life — a dream of ranching in the Oregon desert. Dan paid his way through college at Oregon State University by logging in the summers in the tradition of his father and grandfathers. After graduating in 1965, he went to Vietnam for 2 years to make his “stake” as a construction engineer for Morrison and Knutson of Boise, Idaho. After returning from Vietnam, he invested in several business ventures in the Salem area, one of them
being a beef ranch near Scio.

JEANNE CARVER

Jeanne was born and raised in rural Oregon.  Growing up in a close knit family with humble roots, she learned the values of hard work and self-reliance from an early age.  From childhood, she had three passions:  wilderness, running and horses.  Those three interests have continued throughout her life. Following high school, Jeanne headed off to college and the experience of living in a “town” for the first time.  Her love of running and sports led to an extensive athletic career as a two sport Division I athlete.  After completing a degree in Education, and then a Master’s Degree in Biomechanics from Oregon State University,
Jeanne taught and coached at the university level for many
years.  She coached the US National Team in Track
and Field and served on the US Olympic
Development Committee. 

BLAINE CARVER

I grew up living and working on the Imperial Stock Ranch.  I started working with Dad and the ranch hands around the age of 12.  They taught me to value hard work, be humble with the natural world, and respect each other.  The ranch itself probably taught me and shaped me more than anything else.  It is amazing how much you learn by watching and working with plants and animals.  Respectful animal husbandry and
care of the environment are not practices
for me; they are the way I was raised
and how I live my life.

KEELIA CARVER

When I was a child I always dreamed of having a big garden and lots of animals.  Now living on the Imperial Stock Ranch with my husband Blaine that dream has become reality. I grew up in the west (wet) side of Oregon, in a house that my father built.  Even though we had five acres the biggest animals that I could talk my parents into getting were goats.  My mother’s limit on pets was they needed to fit in the back of her station wagon.  My sisters
and I loved having goats and would let them
out to wander around the yard with us
whenever we were outside.

Scott Cameron

For many people who have visited the Imperial Stock Ranch, they will remember Scott Cameron as the guy who gives them  insight into the amazing relationship and work of herding dogs.   Scott was born and raised in the Deschutes River country around Maupin. He grew up on the family farm where they had cows, horses, milk cows and some farming. His Dad split time between ranching and working in the woods. Scott worked in the haying, farming and cattle work since he was little. He says he worked all day stacking hay for someone else, and then he’d come home and help his Dad. He and two other guys stacked hay for 3 cents a bale. They split it. That meant a penny a bale for each of them. He grew up learning that working was part of living. His family raised race horses, and his Mom was the trainer. So in the summer when she went off to the race track and Dad was driving log trucks, Scott stayed home to work the family place. Scott rode bareback broncs in the rodeos during high school, and participated in a few other things around the country he says he won’t elaborate on in this little piece here! Scott ended up finding employment in the lumber mill following school, and after some years, became foreman. When the mill eventually closed down, he went to college majoring in Small Business Management. Something he’d already been practicing. Not finding office life to his liking,
Scott returned to what he’d always
loved best — ranch life.

Tracie Cameron

Born and raised in Montana, Tracie grew up near the small community of Florence located in the Bitterroot Mountains. They had a small farm, and she says she had the most wonderful parents a child could ever have. After graduating from high school, Tracie married and had two children, a son and a daughter.  They lived in Kennewick, Washington for 16 years, where they trained and ran race horses.  Tracie also worked for a large brood mare farm that kept around 300 mares, also helping take care of the stallions. These stallions had impressive pedigrees, including Secret Intent, one of Secretariat’s (Triple Crown Winner) first colts, Nevada Battler,
Jet Deck Jr., Special Feature and others
were all part of the stable.

We'd love to hear from you!

    Ranch Headquarters
    92462 Hinton Road
    Maupin, OR 97037
    503-559-6958

    [email protected]