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In December 2021, Courtney Fussell and Corbin Morgan moved southwest of Bristow from Maryland to build a ranch—a ranch dedicated to serving veterans and preventing homelessness by helping them transition from a life in the service to a life raising cattle and dedicated to agriculture. Now, in barely more than a year, they have built Lazy C Cattle Co southwest of Bristow.
Courtney’s shared passion for veterans comes from her partner, Corbin, a United States Navy veteran who served from 2015 through 2021, her father, Steven McDonald, who served for 13 years, and her mother, Debra Montuori, who served for 23 years in the Army National Guard of Maryland. Without question, Courtney’s determination and commitment to offering support and education to veterans via their ranch comes from Debra’s example of volunteerism and dedication. She and Corbin endeavor to see her mother’s dream through to fruition.
In 2018, Debra decided to advocate for, support, and offer a new life based in agriculture, through growing food, to veterans returning to civil life. She dedicated a portion of their land to building a greenhouse, teaching veterans to grow nutritious foods and plants and offering them the land and space to do so. Ultimately, she also planned to use a section of the land for them to run their own growers’ market, building a bit of financial security for them as they outgrew the program. Unfortunately, Debra’s life was cut short when she was killed due to a car accident in 2020.
Desiring to continue her mother’s dream, Courtney began her search for land, which, with Corbin—an Oklahoma native, brought her to the Sooner State and Creek County. Now, Courtney notes that while she aspires to fulfill her mother’s dream as well as her own in aiding veterans, she is shifting the primary education and support of her program from plants to livestock because “I can’t keep a plant alive, but I’m really good with animals.”
While their goal is to offer the ranch-based transitional living and educational opportunities for free, Courtney and Corbin still lack the necessary funding to construct the two large housing units, which are estimated to cost more than $150,000. Having already secured their 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, completed their written curriculum, built partnerships with organizations and businesses, and continue actively working to secure funding for living stipends for program participants, their present and future fundraising efforts will raise money for the housing piece of the project. This summer, Lazy C Cattle Co will host several fundraising events, including a fishing tournament. They also accept donations. To learn more about future events and how to support their project, visit their website: www.LazyCCattleCo.com.
In addition to their educational project and because they do not yet have housing available but wish to begin helping veterans now, they are considering offering free, structured individual and group counseling sessions at the ranch. Additionally, they are also considering offering opportunities for informal peer and community support through activities like bonfires, picnics, and family dinners for veterans.
To inquire about counseling and support opportunities, learn more about the ranch and transitional program, or support Courtney and Corbin’s endeavors, follow LazyCCattleCo on TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram, check out their aforementioned website, email them at LazyCCattleCo@gmail.com, or call 301-712-6866.