The Families of the 909 Ranch

The Jensen Family, the Ankrum Family & the Lark Family

Welcome to The 909 Ranch - established in 2021 in the heart of Statesville, North Carolina. The 909 Ranch is a family-owned operation dedicated to raising premium Registered Black Angus. What began as a dream became a way of life, and today, we are proud to carry on a legacy of responsible ranching, sustainable practices, and producing beef you can trust. At the 909 Ranch, it is not just about the cattle - it is about community, conducting business with integrity, and most importantly establishing a legacy.

Born and raised on the west coast, Rick, Michelle, Lauren, and Tyler Ankrum moved to North Carolina in 2014. Beginning their journey on 40 acres in Mooresville, North Carolina, the Ankrum's found their passion for the cattle industry. In 2021, the Ankrum's took a leap and purchased the old Myer's Hereford farm to expand their production, thus creating The 909 Ranch. The name “909” pays homage to the Ankrum's roots in San Bernardino Valley, reflecting the area code of the place where everyone's journey began. It is a reminder of where they come from, grounding their ranch in their values, hard work, and family.

Upon purchase, the Ankrum's went to work. Their goal was to create a ranch that balances operational efficiency with natural beauty - a place where thoughtful design and functionality work hand in hand to reflect the pride they take in both their cattle and the land itself. A key part of the Ankrum's success in achieving such is Rodney Stevenson. Rodney began working the land as a teenager and remains an essential member of the team today. With decades of experience, Rodney has been instrumental in helping The 909 Ranch learn the land, understand its rhythms, and carry forward its long-standing values.

Since the conception of The 909 Ranch, the Ankrum's were on the hunt for team members who had experience in the industry as well as education to help take the herd and genetics to the next level. With their search for passionate team members to join us at the ranch, crossing paths with TK Lark then Michael Jensen felt like promising connections.

Michael Jensen spent his formative years helping neighbors in the farming community whenever assistance was needed, fostering his own passion for the land and livestock. This led Michael to attend NC State University, where he received his bachelor's degree in Animal Science. Subsequent to his education, Michael and his family moved to South Carolina where they worked at Yon Family Farms, a well-known Angus operation. Family circumstances eventually prompted the Jensen's to return to North Carolina and in 2024, Michael officially joined The 909 Ranch team. Since joining the team, as the ranch manager, Michael brings a deep understanding of cattle nutrition, health, breeding, and behavior, along with strong expertise in land management, proven leadership, a tireless work ethic, and a steadfast commitment to sustainable and ethical ranching practices.

Furthermore in 2024, TK Lark joined The 909 Ranch. Growing up around livestock, TK emerged his passion at a young age working and buying cattle. Since his embarkment with the team, TK has exuded his abilities as a reliable and hardworking cattleman in both livestock handling and land management. Comfortable working with cattle in all conditions, TK plays a key role in daily ranch operations, bringing a solid work ethic and consistency to every task.

“We have all worked hard to build a ranch operation that runs like a well-oiled machine, all with the goal of producing top-tier cattle. While developing elite genetics is a slow process- from buying that first donor to watching our donor pen grow- we are seeing results take shape. We are not just building a registered herd, we are building a premium registered herd. You do not have to be a cattleman to see the difference from where we were three years ago. The genetics are doing the homework, and we are laying the foundation for our legacy to last.”