News release, effective immediately.

For media inquiries, contact Caroline Booth Lara, Communications Specialist, (580) 224-6379.
  email: cblara@noble.org

More and more, city dwellers are looking for opportunities allowing them to move from the traffic, crime, smog, and other problems of big-city living. Buying a ranch and leaving the hassles of urban life behind might sound appealing, but beware the many pitfalls inherent in such a purchase!

Specialists with the Noble Foundation, headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., along with the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service and Texas Agricultural Extension Service, have compiled a list of commonly asked questions and answers in a one-page brochure, Things to Know Before Buying a Ranch.

"Owning a farm or ranch can be a rewarding experience," said John Winder, a livestock specialist with the Foundation. "Fresh air and rural living are extremely appealing. However, there are pitfalls awaiting the unsuspecting buyer. These can turn the rural living experience into a nightmare!"

Included in the brochure are profit-loss and costs and returns graphs, as well as a list of additional expenses that might be needed for ranch operation. The brochure is available by calling (580) 223-5810 and asking for NF-AE-98-01 from agricultural publications distribution.

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(FYI -The Noble Foundation is a privately funded, nonprofit organization headquartered in Ardmore, Okla. The Foundation conducts agricultural and plant biology research; provides grants to numerous other charitable and educational organizations; and assists farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative programs.)

www.noble.org