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Heifer Ranch's Frequently Asked Questions
Click the link below for the area in which you have questions:
General Questions
Facility Questions
Booking/Payment/Form Questions
Program Questions
General Questions
What is Heifer Ranch?
Where is Heifer Ranch located?
What are your Visitor Center hours?
How long has the Ranch been in operation?
What animals are on the Ranch?
Do you ship animals from the Ranch to project areas?
Do visitors get to work with the animals?
Who are the Heifer Ranch staff?
What are some other attractions in the area? Back to top.
Facility Questions
Does the Ranch have a Gift Shop?
Do you have guest laundry facilities?
What are our meals like?
Can you accommodate special meal needs?
Someone in our group has sleep apnea, do you have a place for them to plug-in their machine?
Will I receive cell phone reception?
Will we access to email/computers?
What if I am expecting mail? Back to top.
Booking/Payment/Form Questions
How do I book a program?
How far in advance must I book?
Is a deposit required?
What is your cancellation policy?
Can I make a payment with a credit card?
Is our payment tax deductible?
What adult to youth ratio do you require?
Do adults pay?
Can youth under the minimum grade level participate if their parents attend?
I am a group leader/chaperone and have a young child, can I bring the child with me to stay in the lodge?
What if we can't meet the minimum group size?
I have lost the forms that you mailed me, can I download them from your website?
What if I don’t have my waiver and medical emergency form signed?
Do you have a Spanish version of your waiver?
There are members in my group that do not have insurance, can they still come? Back to top.
Program Questions
Do you offer mission trips?
Will your staff lead prayer or provide religious programming?
What is the role of our adults?
How much free-time is there?
How should I prepare for my trip?
How physically challenging are your programs?
Will we be sharing the program with another group?
Does the Ranch have a dress code?
What will the weather be like?
What if it rains?
I have questions about a specific program. Back to top.
General Questions
What is Heifer Ranch?
Heifer Ranch is one of Heifer International's three learning centers. The purpose of a learning center is to transform individuals by providing progressive learning that contributes to a global movement for social change that ends hunger and poverty and cares for the earth. Over 28,000 visitors come each year to learn about world hunger. Back to top.
Where is Heifer Ranch located?
Heifer Ranch is located in Perryville, AR (45 miles Northwest of Little Rock). Click here for driving directions. Back to top.
What are your Visitor Center hours?
Our Visitor Center is open Monday-Saturday from 8-5 pm Central Time. Groups of ten or less are welcome to drop-in for a tour during these hours. The Visitor Center is closed on Sundays, New Year's Day, July 4, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Back to top.
How long has the Ranch been in operation?
The Ranch was purchased in 1971 and was originally used as a livestock holding facility. In 1991, the Ranch officially shifted from a livestock center into an educational facility. Back to top.
What animals are on the Ranch?
The Ranch has water buffalo, camels, llamas and traditional farm animals such as pigs, goats, sheep, ducks, cows and more. Back to top.
Do you ship animals from the Ranch to project areas?
When the Ranch was originally developed animals were shipped to project areas from the Ranch. Heifer International now purchases most animals from within the project partner’s country. This allows the animal to already be acclimated to the weather and any diseases in the area. It also puts money into the country. Heifer Ranch is now a learning center of Heifer International. The Ranch has many of the species of animals that Heifer works with in its projects. These animals are used for demonstrational and educational purposes. Back to top.
Do visitors get to work with the animals?
Some programs offer activities that involve interacting with the animals. Not everyone gets to work with the animals. Back to top.
Who are the Heifer Ranch staff?
Ranch staff includes both employees and volunteers from all areas of the world. All Ranch staff undergo a thorough background check before becoming a member of our team. All of the education programs and service projects are facilitated by Ranch staff. Most of the program facilitators are volunteers. These volunteers come from across the country and some are even from other countries. Volunteers range from high school and college graduates to retirees. The Ranch is a community filled with people who are actively working to end hunger and poverty while caring for the earth. Back to top.
What are some attractions in the area?
Arkansas has many great outdoor opportunities, such as hiking, fishing and canoeing, along with city activities such as the Clinton Library, Wild River Country, Magic Springs, movie theaters and more. We recommend visiting www.arkansas.com to learn more about Arkansas activities. Nearby parks, all about an hour drive, include Petit Jean State Park, Pinnacle Mountain State Park and Hot Springs National Park. Back to top.
Facility Questions
Does the Ranch have a gift shop?
Yes! The Gift Shop offers fair-trade products from around the world as well as basic toiletries. The Gift Shop is open Monday-Saturday from 8-5 pm Central Time. The Gift Shop is closed on Sundays, New Year's Day, July 4, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Back to top.
Do you have guest laundry facilities?
There is a coin laundry facility in Perryville which is about a 10 minute drive from the Ranch. Back to top.
What are our meals like?
Meals are served cafeteria-style in our Dining Hall. Many of the vegetables and meats served are raised on the Ranch. Back to top.
Can you accommodate special meal needs?
We do our best to accommodate food allergies, etc. We can accommodate vegetarian meals. If you have strict vegan or other special diets, we encourage you to bring supplementary foods with you. Your group leader will need to let the Ranch Events Office know of any special meal needs. Back to top.
Someone in our group has sleep apnea, do you have a place for them to plug-in their machine?
Yes. All the lodges (including the Heifer Hilton) have plug-ins. Each of our villages have a home that can have access to electricity. You will need to let us know in your group's Needs Assessment Form that you have this special need. Back to top.
Will I receive cell phone reception?
Some cellular services receive coverage but not all do. Cell phones must be turned on vibrate during all Ranch programming. Back to top.
Will we have access to email/computers?
Yes. There are computers for guest use in the Conference Center near the Dining Hall. Back to top.
What if I am expecting mail?
Keep in mind that the Ranch is in a rural area - mail service is slow. We have mailboxes in the Conference Center for groups arranged by lodge. You should address your mail as follows:
Name of Group
Name of Person
Heifer Ranch
55 Heifer Rd.
Perryville, AR 72126 Back to top.
Booking/Payment/Form Questions
How do I book a program?
Contact the Ranch Events Office by calling 501-889-5124 or via email at ranchevents@heifer.org. To book your group, the Ranch Events Office will need your organization's contact information (name, address, email and phone number), group size (number of youth and number of adults), number of classes (if applicable), grade level(s) of youth, desired program and dates you wish to visit. Once you have booked, a contract will be mailed to you that must be signed and returned with the appropriate deposit. Back to top.
How far in advance must I book?
All overnight programs must be booked a minimum of one month in advance and all day programs must be booked a minimum of two weeks in advance. Reservations are taken on a first come basis and spaces are limited. The Ranch encourages you to book as early as you can. Generally booking for the upcoming year begins in mid-September for fall, mid-May for spring, and mid-September for summer programs. Back to top.
Is a deposit required?
All programs but stand-alone tours require a 50% deposit that is due within 30 days of booking. Back to top.
What is your cancellation policy?
The cancellation policy is dependant on the program that you book and is outlined below:
For Global Gateway, Cultural Connections, Heifer Challenge, Global Explorers, Conference Center, Meals, Lodging and Meeting Spaces
If you cancel within the time frame below prior to arrival:
Greater than 90 days - Deposit amount less $50 processing fee is refunded
Greater than 60 days - ½ of the deposit is refunded
Less than 60 days - No refund of deposit amount
For Adult Service Journey, Alternative Spring Break, Summer Action, Global Challenge, Global Passport
If you cancel after a deposit has been received, your deposit (minus a $50 processing fee) is refundable only if we can rebook your program and date with another group for the program. Back to top.
Can I make a payment with a credit card?
Yes. Call the Ranch Events Office with your credit card number and expiration date and they will be able to process the transaction. We accept MasterCard, Visa and American Express. Back to top.
Is our payment tax deductible?
The tuition fees you pay are for a service and are not considered a donation. Back to top.
What adult to youth ratio do you require?
Our adult to youth ratio is dependent on the program. Tours require 1:15, Global Passport 1:6, all other programs require 1:5. Back to top.
Do adults pay?
Adults are full participants in our programs and also serve as chaperones. Adults pay the program's tuition fee. Back to top.
Can youth under the minimum grade level participate if their parents attend?
Participants must be currently enrolled in or graduated from the set minimum grade level of the program. Back to top.
I am a group leader/chaperone and have a young child, can I bring the child with me to stay in the lodge?
All members of your group must meet the minimum age of the program and attend program activities. Back to top.
What if we can't meet the minimum group size?
The Ranch can run a program for a group that is slightly below the minimum group size however the group is still financially responsible for the set minimum. Our programs are the most impactful when the group is at least the minimum group size. Check with the Ranch Events Office to learn how bringing a smaller group will impact the program that you have booked. Back to top.
I have lost the forms that you mailed me, can I download them from your website?
Yes, click here to download our forms. Back to top.
What if I don’t have my waiver and medical emergency form signed?
All participants (including adults) must have these forms properly filled out and signed to participate in program activities at Heifer Ranch. Those without waivers will have to obtain a completed and signed waiver prior to participating in the program. Back to top.
Do you have a Spanish version of your waiver?
Yes, click here to download our waiver in Spanish. Back to top.
There are members in my group that do not have insurance, can they still come?
Participants without insurance can participate in our programs. They will need to bring a signed letter that states that they will take financial responsibility for any medical expenses that they may acquire. If the participant is under 18 this letter must be signed by their parent/guardian. Back to top.
Program Questions
Do you offer mission trips?
Many groups choose to use the Ranch's programs as a "different kind of mission trip." Our programs are educational programs that teach participants more about world hunger and their role as global citizens. The Ranch does not offer any religious programming. Back to top.
Will your staff lead prayer or provide religious programming?
In order to respect the diverse groups that visit the Ranch, we leave all religious programming up to the individual groups to facilitate with their own group members. Back to top.
What is the role of the adults?
Adults are full participants in the programs and also act as chaperones. Let the young people do the work, help them when they need it by talking them through it, but do not take over. Encourage your group by asking questions to lead them in the right direction and to show them your interest. Back to top.
How much free-time is there?
The majority of the time spent on the Ranch is filled with Ranch facilitated programming. Each day groups will have minimal free-time that can be used for reflection or devotion times, traveling to nearby attractions or just relaxing. The amount of free-time is dependant on the program that you book. Most groups stay on the Ranch during their entire stay. Back to top.
How should I prepare for my trip?
Follow the packing list and maintain contact with your group leader. You can also visit our ranch website. Back to top.
How physically challenging are your programs?
Program participants should be prepared for a lot of walking. The Ranch's educational campus is approximately 300 acres and most activities require you to walk to the program's site. Most programs will include some physical activity. Back to top.
Will we be sharing the program with another group?
Depending on your group size and program, there may be prior arrangements made to combine a group of similar age range. You will be notified two weeks prior to your arrival. Back to top.
Does the Ranch have a dress code?
Yes. Ranch dress code is as follows: shirts must have at least a two-inch shoulder strap, shorts must come to at least mid-thigh, closed-toed shoes must be worn during all program activities. Back to top.
What will the weather be like?
Arkansas weather is often unpredictable. The fall and spring are a mixture of cold and warm days, with the spring being our normal rainy season. Summer is usually hot and humid. Beginning in June, temperatures tend to be in the 90's. It is important to stay hydrated. For current weather conditions, visit www.weather.com. Perryville's zip code is 72126. Back to top.
What if it rains?
Rain is part of daily life. You can prepare for it by bringing rain gear – no umbrellas, please. Heifer staff closely monitors weather conditions. If weather conditions require it, participants will be moved to a safe location. Back to top.
I have questions about a specific program.
For specific questions about each of our programs, click the program's name below to view its Program Information Sheet. Program Information Sheets include a sample schedule, list of things to bring and frequently asked questions and answers. Back to top.
Field Trips - Basic Field Trip, Hands-on Field Trip, or Showbarn
Senior Tour
Cultural Connections
Heifer Challenge
Global Explorers
Global Gateway
Global Challenge (Fall/Spring)
Global Challenge (Summer)
Alternative Spring Break
Summer Action
Global Passport
Corporate Challenge
Adult Service Journey
Conference Center
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