In 1906, Keith’s great-grandfather John journeyed from Arkansas to South Dakota and bought 800 acres of prime grazing land. The original cost of the land was $12.50 per acre. John had four sons, including Keith’s grandpa, George, and together they joined a partnership called Fawcett Brothers. For 25 years, the Fawcett Brothers worked together expanding their ranching business. After over two decades of working together, the brothers decided to dissolve the partnership, and it’s been said the meeting took less than an hour to split the land and settle the business at hand.

“I have seen many changes in agriculture over the years,” said Robert Fawcett, George’s only son. “I witnessed the transition from horses to tractors in the 1940s. I’ve seen a boom in technology over the years. My goal has always been to make the best better, and we always aim to keep improving through the generations.”

As George raised Robert to appreciate the land and the livestock, Robert realized that he wanted to continue the ranching tradition that his family had established. He worked to buy and lease land from his sisters and neighboring relatives. Much of the original land is still part of the operation, and when son Keith graduated high school in 1977, he also started leasing land and getting involved in the operation. Three years later, Keith married Cheryl, and they bought more land to grow the operation. In 1985, Robert and Keith decided to form a partnership and establish today’s well-respected Fawcett’s Elm Creek Ranch.