Cannon Valley Ranch represents dedication, passion, family

GOODHUE — Both hailing from family farms in Wisconsin, Bruce and LeeAnn Waugh have always had a lifelong dedication and passion for the agriculture industry. As they moved to their first farm in the 1980s, the pair never imagined the success Cannon Valley Ranch would bring, including being named the 2026 Goodhue County Farm Family of the Year.

“I was a little surprised, but we’re excited about it,” Bruce said. “It’s about doing things right when nobody’s watching, and every farmer does that.”

Those early experiences have helped develop and strengthen the ranch near Goodhue, where Bruce, LeeAnn and their son, Taylor, manage 320 acres and 120 cow-calf pairs of registered Angus and Akaushi. Their other son, Aaron, is involved as well, handling the ranch-to-table meat business.

“LeeAnn and I go wherever we have to,” Bruce said. “I call her our vice president in charge of marketing and running all our social media, and she talks to a lot of our customers.”

Their daughter, Lindsay, who lives in North Dakota, is following in her family’s footsteps. She and her husband ranch while also owning a supply and feed business.

Founded in 1984, Cannon Valley Ranch began at Bruce and LeeAnn’s first farm between Morristown and Waterville. For 17 years, the Waughs raised beef cattle here. They were no strangers to the trade, as Bruce grew up on a beef and crop farm, with LeeAnn’s family having a mix of livestock.

In 2001, the Waughs had the opportunity to upgrade farms and gain more acres, which prompted the move to their current farm.

“It was the passion for wanting to raise our kids on the farm like we were raised, passion for the beef industry and passion for agriculture,” Bruce said. “That’s the life we wanted.”

Over the years, the ranch has ventured into new business areas, such as transitioning from a commercial cow-calf operation to an Angus seedstock enterprise. Bulls and females are sold to other producers, with the ranch utilizing A.I. and embryo transfer. Additionally, the Waughs have added direct-to-consumer beef sales.

“We have individuals and consumers that buy from us in Rochester, the Twin Cities and all over the local area,” Bruce said. “Our meat is also going to be in the Goodhue Market, so to have a local connection there, that’ll be fun and exciting.”

Several restaurants, like Forager Brewery in Rochester and The Bleu Dog Cafe in Welch, use the Waughs’ beef as well.

The Waughs have also begun to host Taste of the Ranch dinners on the first Thursday of every month, inviting anyone to stop by and visit the operation. The monthly event features wagon rides touring the property, live music, burgers, fries and ice cream sundaes.

“The consumer really wants to know where their food comes from and that cattle are being raised in a responsible and humane manner,” Bruce said. “It takes a lot of work to get name and brand recognition on the food side; (customers) don’t just show up and start knocking on your door.”

Their ranch was recognized as last year’s Goodhue County Conservation Farm of the Year, highlighting the ranch’s sustainable practices, which Bruce said they plan to expand. One practice is planting pollinator and monarch butterfly habitats. The Waughs also have 15 birdhouses around the property as a natural way to control flies, with another 20 or 30 expected to be installed. Additionally, Bruce and LeeAnn have given back to the local community through supporting 4-H and FFA programs and employing neighborhood kids.

“We’re trying to work in sync with Mother Nature, grow sustainably, and be good for wildlife and a lot of different things,” Bruce said.

Looking toward the future, the family hopes to grow all aspects of the ranch to support the several generations working side by side, such as increasing their cattle numbers and expanding into other livestock like hogs and chickens.

“What we’re really striving for is to be able to create that sustainable operation, not for our generation or for our sons’, but hopefully for their kids down the road,” Bruce said.