Fair Hills Ranch: Tillable, Pasture & Home

PRICE REDUCED! Fair Hills Ranch includes approximately 846 deeded acres and 304 leased acres. This is a productive working farm and ranch with income from grain farming and grazing leases. Positive cash flow from the property averages a 5% return on investment annually. The seller invested in the property infrastructure with pattern tile in the tillable land and new perimeter and cross fencing for cattle. The five dams on the property provide abundant water sources distributed across the property and opportunities for fishing, swimming, and paddling. The mature trees surrounding the building site provide excellent shelter for working cattle in the yard and deer and turkey hunting spots right out the back door.

As we drew near the property, the hills of the prairie coteau rose in front of us along the western horizon. Hundreds of acres of contiguous pasture and tillable land spread out in front of us, but tucked back in the mature trees, we spotted the big red barn and the house overlooking the private lake. We knew we were visiting a legacy property as we pulled up the drive past the welcome sign: Fair Hills Ranch. In the yard were a large machine shed and a beautiful home with a fishing pond just a stone’s throw from the deck.

We unloaded the side-by-side and headed for the hills. On our way, we passed a post adorned with whitetail antlers taken from the property over the years, and I knew we were in for a particular day. We drove through several gates connecting cross-fence in excellent condition. The prairie was in bloom, and we stopped to photograph the South Dakota State Flower, Prairie Pasque. We crossed the first dam of the first lake and made our way to the southern boundary of the property, where we explored an old lichen-crusted stone foundation from a settler’s barn. Adjacent to Sica Hollow State Park, it was easy to imagine why the native peoples and settlers chose these protected coulees for making camps and protected building sites. We followed the western boundary fence north, making a small loop into eastern Marshall County. Aside from this 40 acres, most of the property is located in western Roberts County, South Dakota. We climbed to the top of the coteau and turned around for a breathtaking view of the valley; we could see for nearly 100 miles. We drove past three more private fishing lakes on the property. After crossing through the lower end of a wooded draw, we followed the boundary of the drain-tiled corn field located north and west of the house until we emerged on 450th Avenue, which forms the eastern property boundary. We drove 1.5 miles up 450th Avenue to the alfalfa quarter section that has also been improved with drain tile. This quarter generates valuable forage and has approximately 11 acres of trees in the northeast corner that would be excellent spots for hanging tree stands.

Like all of the outbuildings, the updated home is in excellent condition and has ample space for family and entertaining. There are five bedrooms and two bathrooms in the approximately 4,300 square foot home with a two-car attached garage. A steel roof provides maintenance-free protection of the house and all the outbuildings. The main floor is an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living room. The large kitchen was tastefully renovated with granite countertops, tile backsplashes, and hickory cabinets. There is in-floor electric boiler heat in the lower and upper levels, a forced air propane furnace, and central air conditioning. There also is a beautiful and practical propane fireplace in the main floor living room. The main floor living room doors open onto a deck overlooking the lake. Fiber optic internet is wired into the house, so you can work from home and never have to leave this paradise.

The surrounding area is rich with public hunting areas and popular fisheries. The nearest towns in South Dakota are Claire City and Sisseton, and the nearest large city is Fargo, North Dakota. Neighboring Sica Hollow State Park is famous for camping and horseback riding. If you’ve been searching for a property worthy of your family’s legacy, give us a call to discuss further and arrange an appointment for a tour. Large, contiguous tracts of land with passive income and incredible recreation opportunities are rarely advertised–don’t miss out!