Our Journey of Compassion and Care
Since 1952, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch has grown from a small group of dedicated volunteers in North Dakota into one of the state’s leading social service agencies. Throughout our history, we have stayed true to our mission of providing hope, healing, and opportunity to children and families in need.
The Ranch began near Mapleton, ND, and in 1954 moved to a 960-acre property near Tolley, ND. In those early years, eight boys lived at the Ranch, sharing in daily chores and farm work. Their days included spiritual life, recreation, work-study, and public school, with the goal of providing a stable home that met their immediate physical and spiritual needs and laid the foundation for the faith-based care that continues to guide the Ranch today.
1952 – The Beginning
A small group of families from The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod congregations in rural North Dakota started hosting boys in need, offering safety, stability, and a chance for childhood experiences. This laid the foundation for Dakota Boys Ranch, which started near Mapleton, ND, and two years later moved to a ranch (donated by Mr. and Mrs. L.C. Butt) near Tolley, ND. In 1957, the Ranch purchased a 37-acre tract of land four miles west of Minot, the first step in building a new facility to meet the growing demand for services.
1959 – Minot Campus Opens
When completed in 1959, the new Minot campus allowed the Ranch to serve more young boys. In the early years, services primarily included work-study, spiritual life, recreation, and public schooling. The basic intent of the Ranch was to provide a home to meet the boys' most immediate needs.
1970s – New Energy
The 70s were a time of big changes at the Ranch. The board of directors purchased 160 acres of adjacent land, allowing the Ranch to expand to meet the rising demand for care. The need for expansion led to the construction of Thatcher Cottage, the Luebbe Vocational Center, and a chapel. The late 70s also brought new energy to incorporating special education, physical therapy, art therapy, psychiatric care, vocational learning, and therapy into the boys' treatment.
1980s – Thrift Operations
In the 80s, the Ranch started its thrift store operations. The opening of stores in Minot and Fargo was quickly followed by store openings throughout the region. The Ranch continues to operate thrift stores today, with eight stores helping to underwrite the mission and contributing to their communities through job programs, low-cost goods, and sustainability programs.
1990s – National Recognition
The Ranch achieved national accreditation, ensuring the highest quality of care in treatment and education. Also in the 90s, the Ranch began serving girls, and Dakota Memorial School expanded to include students with complex learning needs who lived at home.
2000s – Bismarck Campus
In 2000, the Ranch expanded services to the Bismarck-Mandan area with the opening of a residential treatment facility in Mandan. In 2003, all operations moved to Bismarck following the completion of a new facility. In 2003, the board of directors voted to change the name of Dakota Boys Ranch to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch to better reflect the population served.
2010s – Fargo Campus
In 2012, the Ranch moved into the Al and Johnne Bierdeman Center for Hope and Healing in
Fargo. By 2016, the Fargo campus housed a residential treatment center, school, chapel, gymnasium, nutrition center, outpatient clinic, and administrative offices. In 2019, the Ranch added an aftercare program to provide follow-up care and guidance to children as they re-entered the community. The program was so successful in helping children transition out of care that it was later expanded.
2020s – Hope Chapel
In 2021, the Ranch launched two fundraising campaigns—one for a chapel in Bismarck and another for a new cottage in Minot. Ranch donors came together to meet both campaign goals. Bismarck’s Hope Chapel was dedicated in August 2024, creating a hope-filled space for Ranch residents and staff to hear the Gospel, pray, find peace, and learn of God’s unconditional love.
2025 – Zurcher Cottage
In November 2025, the Ranch dedicated the newly-constructed Zurcher Cottage, designed to meet the needs of children coming to the Ranch today— children with histories of trauma and psychiatric issues of the highest degree. The cottage was designed to use the most current knowledge of trauma-informed care, emerging brain research, and our own experiences to create spaces that not only keep our children safe and help them heal, but provide them with a comfortable home-like environment.
Today – Always Evolving
The Ranch continues to provide specialized psychiatric and educational services to the most troubled, complicated, and amazing children. Christianity remains the foundation on which we operate and do our work, and our Spiritual Life programs and facilities are 100% funded by generous people throughout the United States.
