AL HR156

Big Oak Ranch, founded in 1974 by John Croyle, is recognized and commended for 50 years of service to abused, neglected, and abandoned children in Alabama and nationwide.

The organization has served more than 2,000 children over 50 years, expanded from a single farmhouse serving five boys to seven ministry teams operating 13 homes for boys and 11 homes for girls.

Big Oak Ranch operates debt-free without government funding and provides children with full-time houseparents, housing, food, clothing, health and dental care, and private Christian education in Rainbow City.

The organization runs Big Oak Cattle program providing over 15,000 pounds of red meat annually and operates ASCEND program to prepare young adults for the real world; last year served children in 10 different states.

Big Oak Ranch achieved 99 children on the A/B honor roll in the 2021-2022 school year and 13 young adults received college or trade education, with over 100 children professing faith in Christ over the past five years.