Scatter Joy Acres

In 2005 Scatter Joy Acres (SJA) was founded by Joy Bartling as Soby Ranch Ministries in 2006 near Fort Calhoun, Nebraska to provide a new home, new life, and new meaning by rescuing abused or neglected animals. Bartling’s first loves were the animals who became her closest childhood friends and confidants when she felt she had no one else to turn to during a painful part of her journey to adulthood. Understanding that there are often deep pains in life and the many times that human beings were not able to touch them, she realized she was not alone in that aspect. At the ranch, the animals serve as an integral part of the on-going mission of providing therapeutic interaction for developmentally disabled and autistic children, seniors, veterans, and at-risk children. Many of us, like Joy, have found comfort, solace, peace and even joy in the company of animals. Joy embraced her passionate gift in life which also would be a significant way to “give back” to the community. Thus, “Scatter Joy Acres” was created to scatter God’s joy across all of his acres. On the ranch, each animal has a name, a story and a significance, which is demonstrated in warmth and love they share with every person they encounter. The interactions animals share as they meet with people are simply amazing. In 2013, SJA relocated to a sprawling, lush, 26-acre site within Omaha at 49th & Newport. Here it provides a surprisingly quiet inner-city sanctuary for both humans and animals. In 2022 SJA had the opportunity to move the ranch to a 15 acre country setting in Murray, NE . This has allowed to be able to grow our programs. In addition to the therapy and rescue, the ranch is available for birthday parties, corporate outings and other events. There is an ample parking, picnic areas, a playground, hayrack rides, bonfires, and plenty of room for fun and games. Our ranch in Murray serves as headquarters for the ever-expanding Scatter Joy Acres organization. The ranch is presently home to more than 65 animals like alpacas, sheep, rabbits, goats, horses, cows, and a camel, a variety of fowl, pigs, and peacocks. SJA provides animal therapy for the developmentally disabled, seniors and veterans both at the ranch at on-site at many other facilities in and around the metro Omaha area. Additionally, SJA is one of the regions only authorized education sites for the widely acclaimed Cowboy Ethics, curriculum, teaching young people to be responsible adults using the Code of the West. Scatter Joy Acres provides an experience unlike any other for those it serves. Animal rescue and therapy, an urban ranch, real life – hands on STEM education, and animal interaction makes. Scatter Joy Acres an incredible organization and place to visit.