Erik's Ranch employs autistic staff in Montana
Erik's Ranch in Livingston, Montana, employs autistic people as guides and wranglers for guests visiting the property.
The staff operates a nonprofit model where neurodivergent members live and work independently on the twenty-three hundred acre pasture. This setup allows employees to thrive while providing unique hospitality experiences for visitors seeking nature and quiet.
Founder Kathryn Nordberg created the business to ensure her son Erik could find meaningful work after she was no longer around. She designed cabins with muted tones and quiet hardware to prevent sensory overload for neurodivergent guests and staff.
Many autistic individuals face depression and social exclusion, yet this ranch offers a supportive community where staff know everyone by name. Employees like Jacob Thoresen report gaining confidence and independence through their daily work with horses and guests.
The organization has hired twenty-seven autistic young adults recently, aiming to serve thirty members while adapting roles to individual strengths. Although finances limit expansion, the ranch provides essential belonging and purpose for those who often feel isolated in society.
“Sheets, towels and lives changed daily.”