About Us
Our Family Legacy
Black Star Ranch is a working family ranch in the sandhills of western Nebraska, located along the southern border of the Pine Ridge Reservation. Rooted in the land and guided by generations of agricultural knowledge, the ranch specializes in small ruminant production as well as bees and bee‑derived products. More than just a ranch, Black Star is where agriculture, public health science, Indigenous wisdom, and hands‑on learning come together.
Operated by the Kennedy and Fast Horse families, the ranch is also home to Black Star Research & Evaluation LLC, an organization dedicated to strengthening public health, advancing rural food sovereignty, supporting program evaluation, and driving innovation in agriculture. This unique partnership allows Black Star Ranch to serve as both a production site and a living laboratory for community‑centered, culturally grounded approaches to health and agriculture.
Our work centers on raising healthy, resilient small ruminants—particularly goats—using practices that honor the land, respect animal well‑being, and strengthen local and regional food systems. Each season offers new opportunities to demonstrate what sustainable, culturally informed agriculture can look like in rural and Indigenous communities.
Beyond production, Black Star Ranch is a place of teaching, mentorship, and connection. We support youth engagement, producer training, and community partnerships that help families build skills in herd management, land stewardship, and diversified agriculture. By blending practical ranching experience with evidence‑based approaches, we help grow the next generation of producers and expand pathways toward economic and food sovereignty.
Black Star Ranch stands for more than livestock—it stands for community, learning, and a future where families can thrive through agriculture rooted in culture, science, and shared purpose.
Favian Kennedy
Favian Kennedy is the Founder of Black Star Research & Evaluation, LLC, where he assists tribal communities and mission-driven organizations with strategic planning and the development of innovative evaluation solutions. Favian has more than 20 years of experience in public health, specializing in system-level planning, health surveillance and monitoring, behavioral health best practice interventions, and health statistics. Favian is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Oglala Lakota Division of Behavioral Health, a chartered entity of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
Serena Fast Horse
Serena Fast Horse is a proud Oglala Sioux Tribal member and is responsible for much of the agricultural and ranch management activities. Raised between the Pine Ridge Reservation and Gordon, Nebraska, she brings deep cultural grounding, lived experience, and a strong commitment to community wellness to her work. Serena is studying at Oglala Lakota College and is an active member of the American Public Health Association, reflecting her dedication to advancing health and healing in Indigenous communities.
Her recovery from addiction is the achievement she values most, shaping her passion for supporting others on their own wellness journeys. At the ranch, Serena is known for her meticulous care of the animals, her leadership in small‑ruminant and livestock management, and her enthusiasm for teaching youth and new producers. A lifelong learner, she continues to grow her expertise in health, social work, and agriculture, embodying the values of resilience, service, and community transformation.
