Ranchwoman provides Western hospitality

Wyoming native Alexa Kennedy holds many titles: rancher, mother, business woman and self-starter being a few. She values her role in the ag industry and recognizes the work other women in ag do for the industry.

“When I look at what I do and how I live, I’m just like my neighbor next door,” she says. “This is just who we are. It means a lot to us to be able to share with people what we do and why we love it.”

Background

Alexa grew up ranching with her grandfather, dad and uncles who all worked for True Ranches in Rock River and Newcastle. She also worked on Scott and April Sims’ ranch in McFadden during the summers when she was a teenager.

“It was probably through living with their family that I got exposed to advocacy, telling your story and being stewards of the land,” she says. “They’re really proactive with all of it.”

Alexa met her husband Kelly and moved to his family’s ranch near the Laramie Peak area. After Kelly’s dad passed away nine years ago, Alexa and Kelly moved to Wheatland and bought land where they now ranch in partnership with their son. 

Alexa and Kelly have impacted the lives of many with their welcoming, generous mindsets. They were foster parents for 12 years. 

“It was really rewarding to take these kids in, take them out on the farm and give them responsibilities,” she says. “It made a huge difference for those kids being on the land and working with the animals.”

Alexa was also a special education paraprofessional for the Albany County School District for eight years.

“I loved being a para, and I was good at it,” she says. “I think it all went back to growing up on a ranch where I learned to study animal behavior, so I always had a lot of success with those kids because of my awareness.”

Alexa has always valued being involved with ag organizations.

She served as the Albany County Farm Bureau president for four years, and is now the membership chair for Platte County Farm Bureau. She has served on multiple committees for Albany County CattleWomen and Platte County CattleWomen and was very involved with the Wyoming Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers program.

Wyoming Bell Enterprises 

Alexa currently ranches part time while also catering and operating a bed and breakfast and wedding/event venue, which is all part of her business, Wyoming Bell Enterprises.

Her catering company, KK Catering, offers home-cooked ranch-style foods. KK Catering is currently in the crossover process of morphing into Dinner Bell Catering. Alexa has owned the catering company for eight years and says she never attended culinary school, but learned from those around her.

“I grew up in a great family of ranch women who knew how to cook,” she says.

She operates the bed and breakfast named The Bell Inn, and the wedding/event venue, called the Wedding Bell Hall and Events, on the Kennedy Ranch located at the foot of Laramie Peak. Alexa purchased the farm next door to her and Kelly’s place and converted the house into the bed and breakfast and built the wedding hall.

Wyoming Bell Enterprises offers a one-of-a-kind Western venue experience for special occasions. She is receiving positive feedback for her work and is finding there is quite a demand for it.

Alexa’s ability to connect with others and build relationships shines through her work in the hospitality industry.

“My husband and I have always loved entertaining and hospitality,” she says. “I always have a table set for extras.”

Advice for young
women in ag

Alexa enjoys mentoring young individuals, and she offers advice for young women in ag.

“Make contacts, friendships and build relationships,” she says. “If you want to learn something, go find the person in your area doing it the best they can, and then ask them to mentor you and call and ask questions.”

She advises producers to constantly strive to grow and better themselves. 

“Don’t get stuck in a rut and think this is the only way to do it,” she says. “There are always so many opportunities out there and people want to be involved – they want to help you.” 

She says it’s important to make connections and find mentors. 

“Take advantage of the programs out there,” Alexa says. “Ag organizations have a lot they would invest if you just reach out.” 

She encourages women in ag to become involved with their community and share their way of life with others. 

“I think being involved in the community is a huge opportunity to share your life, what you do and why you love it,” she says.

Kaitlyn Root is an editor for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.