Keeping the Brand Alive: Mary Kate Pedigo on Long-Distance Ranching and Building The Moore House
Not everyone holding up a legacy wears boots every day. Some do it from behind a laptop, two states away, keeping the books clean and the cattle fed while raising a family and renovating a 1919 farmhouse into an agritourism destination. This guest proves you don't have to be on the ranch to be part of it.
In this episode of “Your Ag Empire,” Jonathon Haralson sits down with Mary Kate Pedigo, a creative agency owner, co-founder of The Moore House, and part-time Arizona ranch bookkeeper. Pedigo offers a unique perspective on honoring a family legacy when traditional roles no longer fit, blending a deep-seated connection to the land with modern entrepreneurship and remote management.
She offers practical insights into navigating generational shifts, embracing technology, and finding opportunities in unexpected places, proving that an integral role in a family operation can look very different from one generation to the next.
Legacy Across the Miles: Finding Her Footing
Pedigo is part of a family ranch that has been running since 1903. Yet, her daily contribution isn't from the saddle, but often from behind a screen.
"The only reason why I am still able to be a part of the ranch is because of technology," Pedigo tells Haralson. This remote role involves managing critical backend tasks like ensuring lease renewals get turned in, drought payments are submitted, and the books are up to date and reconciled.
Her involvement in the ranch’s business side came from necessity. When the long-time manager retired, Pedigo stepped in, finding herself evaluating proposals from potential partners. She quickly realized the importance of protecting the family's assets.
"It wasn't any way that would protect our assets, protect what we've had for 120 years," she explains of one unfavorable proposal. Her advice for approaching landowners with new agreements is simple: "Look at it from their perspective. Really put yourself in their shoes. Find a balance that’s fair to everybody."
This principle guides her family's current partnership, which operates on a cost- and profit-share model with their ranch manager. "You've gotta trust that they have your best interest and that's why we felt like that arrangement was the best option for us. Our best interests are his best interests. If the ranch succeeds, he succeeds."
The Moore House: Blending History with Hospitality
The Moore House, built in 1919, in Willcox, Arizona.
The Moore House after being fully renovated in 2023, now welcomes visitors from all over the country.
The opportunity to restore her grandparents' 1919 home in Willcox, Arizona, and transform it into an agritourism destination, The Moore House, allowed Pedigo to further weave her passion for community and heritage into her entrepreneurial endeavors. Her hometown, once a "ghost town," has experienced a rebirth, with vineyards and wine tasting rooms drawing visitors from all over the state.
Pedigo saw the potential. "This needs to be an Airbnb or some kind of business," she recalls telling her mom, whom she had been encouraging to do something more with the home. Along with her husband, Pedigo finally bought the home and took on renovations herself.
The project has been a labor of love, bringing history back to life. It’s a vision of hospitality that invites guests to experience a piece of the past while contributing to the town's future.
Building a Life (and Legacy) Between States
Pedigo lives in East Texas with her seventh-generation Texan husband and family, and now gets to works cattle in Arizona on the “fun days.”
Pedigo’s life is a testament to embracing a non-traditional path. She manages a creative agency, lives in East Texas with her seventh-generation Texan husband and family, and works cattle in Arizona on the “fun days.” The glue that holds it all together? "I think it's just legacy," she says. "You can't buy that history and that legacy. It's so special."
She hopes this diverse experience will teach her children that "they can go anywhere, they can do anything. I don't want them to feel like they're being held back out of fear or obligation. I want them to chase their dreams."
Pedigo manages her demanding schedule by focusing on weekly priorities. "I look at that week and what absolutely has to get done. No excuses, no deadline extensions." She jokes about her personality type and learning to rely on friends and contractors during the demanding renovation, was the reason for its success.
Her family ranch has also embraced change, shifting to a controlled breeding program, a water pipeline, and looking for buyers who offer a premium for specific genetics.
Advice for Others Supporting From Afar
For others looking to contribute to their rural roots without being physically present, Pedigo advises, "Look for the gaps. Look for the opportunities. See what is missing, where there's a need." Even small contributions can be significant. "What can I take off your plate? What is something that I could help with that you don't have time for?"
Whether working cattle or crunching numbers, Pedigo reminds listeners that "legacy is the long game and sometimes the best contributions happen off the ranch."
Follow along at The Moore House, and if you're ever in Arizona, perhaps book a stay where history meets hospitality.
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