Merlyn and Virginia Ballinger own the Ballinger Rocking R Ranch, located on the North Fork of the Shoshone River 25 miles west of Cody and a small farm south of Powell.

Since the late 1990’s, Merlyn and Virginia have been very active in providing opportunities for disabled hunters on and off their property.  The Rocking R Ranch has provided an excellent opportunity for disabled hunters.  Many physically challenged hunters, including some who are legally blind, have successfully harvested animals on the ranch.  

The Ballinger’s have taken an active interest in resource management education, offering their ranch as an “outdoor classroom” for high school and college students to learn about the real opportunities and challenges of land and wildlife management today in Wyoming.

Merlyn and Virginia’s stewardship of their land doesn’t stop at their fences.  They have truly used their land for the benefit of the community, especially focusing on the personal dimension.  There are many who can say their lives were positively impacted because of the Ballinger’s willingness to use their land for the good of people.

We are proud to have the Ballingers as the 2015 Cody Region Landowner of the Year!