The Purpose of Mustard Seed Ranch is to maintain an equestrian working ranch that provides an opportunity for faith-focused life change for the least, the last, and the lost of our community.

The guests of the ranch include foster children and their families and children living in group homes needing a hand up in life. The miracle of the ranch is the use of animals in a faith-focused program in a safe environment that re-establishes relationships and trust, which is the foundation for recovery and independence.

The vision of Mustard Seed Ranch is to help people realize that their own worth and value is centered in their Creator, and not in the circumstances or failures they have experienced in life.

The Mustard Seed Ranch animal-assisted programs support the children and youth who are abandoned, abused, or neglected. The miracle of the ranch can be seen first-hand when God uses the animals to help people re-connect with their heart and to re-establish relationships and trust, resulting in recovery and growth.

Mustard Seed Ranch (MSR) is a working ranch located on 142 acres near Warner Springs, California. It was founded by Tom & Ken McCall in September of 1999. The Ranch serves as a retreat for hurting youth where they can learn to re-establish relationships through our animal-assisted programs that focus on "care giving" as its basic tenet. Whether the guests are working with the horses, goats, chickens or pigs, they experience trust, respect and communicate love in a safe environment.

Mustard Seed Ranch does not merely "teach theory." The ranch engages in the guests’ lives and provides experiences that restore their trust, ability to belong, and faith in knowing the future holds hope and a purpose.

In addition to the emotional support offered at MSR, the ranch offers educational opportunities, vocational training, and recreation to those in need. All services are administered by trained professionals helping guests experience a sense of accomplishment and competence. MSR helps all who visit realize that they are not alone and that everything has a purpose. The ranch instills the belief that everyone has a value.

The picturesque 142-acre horse ranch is located at 34251 Highway 79 in Warner Springs, CA. Surrounded by the hills of Sunshine Summit in North San Diego County, the ranch enjoys majestic views of the Cleveland National Forest. The ranch has as its friendly neighbor, the U.S. Navy Seal training facility.

The amenities at MSR include a 2,700 square foot two-story ranch style home which sleeps 14 guests and has three bathrooms. In addition to central heating and air conditioning, the ranch house has a fully equipped kitchen, living room and dining facility to accommodate 40 guests. The ranch also has a recently converted barn that is equipped with a bunkroom that sleeps 16, two bathrooms, a business office and a sizeable upstairs recreation/meeting room.

Placed at a pleasing 3,200-foot elevation, the ranch land also includes a gated and heated swimming pool, a 26 stall, fully enclosed barn, a large hay/workshop facility, two round pens for horse training and an extra large riding arena for program instruction and training. Miles and miles of quiet, outstanding horse trails make their way throughout the ranch land. There is also a separate home on the property for the caretaker.

Yes, along with the following additions: MSR is building more than twenty bedrooms and additional dorm space to accommodate overnight guests and Summer Camps for at-risk teens. Specially equipped housing is being built to accommodate handicapped and disabled guests.

The Children’s Ranch Program restores self-esteem in children who have been violated by adults. We require our kids to actively work the ranch to establish trust with the animals. The immediate impact each child’s efforts have is recognized by our close-knit community and allows the healing process to begin. The unconditional love experienced through working with animals gives our children a sense of accomplishment, self-worth and hope. By expecting more from each child than he or she can give, we show them how much they have to offer.

The specially designed animal-assisted programs break down severe emotional barriers and allow our kids to communicate and relate in new and wonderful ways. Our horses expect a great deal from our children. And not surprisingly, our children respond. Self-respect grows with each completed task.

The program philosophy is to heal deep internal wounds. Children need to find a safe place to care about others. When children become caregivers to animals, they build an overwhelming sense of self-worth and well-being. Only then can they begin the process of caring for themselves and their community.

The program supports the belief of a Father in Heaven that deeply loves you and will never turn his back on you. At every opportunity, we seek to show our kids that they will always be loved and treasured and will never be left alone.

The MSR Board of Directors has transitioned from an operating Board to a Development and Advancement Board. The Board is now known as the “Mustard Seed Ranch Founders Board” or “Founders Board”. The Founders Board is chaired by Tom McCall and has three major focus areas:

• To develop a strong annual giving program that supports the vision and purpose of MSR.
• To advance the opportunities at MSR by funding the development of additional living and program facilities at MSR.
• To provide expert counsel on the ongoing development of programs and activities at MSR.