wfn.org | Division Committee Explores Ghost Ranch Conference Center

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

18-November-1997 
97440 
 
     Division Committee Explores 
    Ghost Ranch Conference Center 
 
    by Julian Shipp 
 
ABIQUIU, N.M.--Meeting here Nov. 12-15, the Congregational Ministries 
Division (CMD) Committee devoted a day of its time together exploring the 
services, ministries and programs of  Ghost Ranch Conference Center. 
 
    According to Joe Keesecker, Ghost Ranch director, the 21,000 acres that 
make up Ghost Ranch were part of a land grant to Pedro Martin Serrano and 
his family in 1776. The land was later divided and sold in smaller tracts. 
In the 1930s, Mr. and Mrs. Martin A. Pack bought a portion of the original 
property that now makes up Ghost Ranch. They added several connecting 
parcels over the years and gave the entire ranch to the Presbyterian Church 
in 1955. 
 
    "At 33 square miles, Ghost Ranch is the biggest land holding of the 
denomination," Keesecker said.  "Over the last 50 years, it has evolved 
into a center for education, for community service and as a center for the 
conservation and stewardship of the earth." 
 
    Audrey P.Owens, community programs coordinator at Ghost Ranch, said 
there are about 50 full-time employees at the ranch year-round, but help at 
Ghost Ranch swells to approximately 150 during the summer season due to the 
large number of volunteers. He said Ghost Ranch leases its rangeland to 
local owners of livestock for cattle and sheep grazing from October to May. 
The vast acreage of Ghost Ranch is managed to minimize the depletion of 
natural resources and to preserve the fragile, high desert environment, he 
said. 
 
    Water safety education is also a major summer activity at Ghost Ranch, 
said Owens. Particular emphasis is placed on drowning prevention, since 
many of the large irrigation ditches in northern New Mexico are a threat to 
residents, particularly children. Owens said the ranch museum is a favorite 
field trip for local school children. Craft programs and local art exhibits 
and sales are also sponsored by Ghost Ranch. 
 
    "The aim of Ghost Ranch is to try to be a good neighbor," Owens said. 
"So we try." 
 
    The Rev. Jean Richardson, Ghost Ranch program director, said that 
although New Mexico has the highest poverty rate in America, it abounds 
with multicultural diversity and natural beauty. She said Ghost Ranch 
offers more than 200 courses and more than 3,500 people come to Ghost Ranch 
annually for adult and youth education programs. She said this number does 
not include  schoolchildren who come from Albuquerque and other neighboring 
cities for field trips and other activities. 
 
    Richardson said Ghost Ranch awarded more than $13,000 in scholarships 
last year and has added and filled two Elderhostel programs. Scholarships 
at Ghost Ranch are available on the basis of need. Priority is given to 
persons of minority/ethnic backgrounds, laypersons and clergy from small- 
membership congregations and those who have not received scholarships in 
the past. 
 
    "People's lives are changed when they come here," Richardson said. 
"Many have an experience with God, self and neighbor that they did not 
expect." 

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