Nevada desert community prepares for societal collapse at Fortitude Ranch

Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — In the remote Nevada desert, a group of individuals is living off the grid, preparing for a potential societal collapse. Known as Fortitude Ranch, this community is situated on 160 acres of land northeast of Reno.

The ranch is part of a network of eight properties across the United States, founded by Drew Miller, who describes them as "survival communities equipped to survive any type of disaster and long-term loss of law and order."

Jeff, the ranch manager, explained the community's mission.

"Not everybody is a doomsday prepper. We're very practical. Essentially, we run a farm. We run a ranch, except our ranch is open to a membership to allow people a modicum of peace of mind," Jeff said.

The number of people in the United States identifying as preppers is estimated to be around 20 million, or about 7% of all households, according to researchers. This figure has doubled since 2017.

"We plan for everything that other people don't plan for," Jeff said. "I think that we are practical life insurance."

He noted that the pandemic highlighted the importance of preparedness after shortages of food and other essentials.

Fortitude Ranch offers its members a place to vacation during good times and a shelter during potential disasters, including natural calamities.

"Our ranches are set up for a serious interruption, societal interruption," Jeff said. "We are also very practical for people that tend to live in hurricane areas, wildfire areas, flooding areas, earthquakes. So that those people, when that kind of thing occurs, they don't have to wait on somebody else to come along and help them."

The Nevada property boasts five natural springs, which Jeff said do not require filtration. These springs support the ranch's fruit trees, vegetables, crops, and livestock, including lambs, chickens, and cows.

Membership at Fortitude Ranch ranges from $7,000 for a five-year membership for a single person in a shared space to $384,000 for a 50-year membership for a private luxury room for a family of five. The luxury room includes a private sink and toilet. Most accommodations are located in the Viking Lodge, a building still under construction, which Jeff described as providing "complete nuclear, biological, chemical protection."

Storage rooms are available for members to stock food and other necessities. In the event of a natural disaster, members can relocate to Fortitude Ranch until power is restored and supplies are replenished.

Sue Schmeder, a member from Napa, California, visits the Nevada ranch as a retreat several times a year.

"After the or during the pandemic, I realized you can't go at your own," Schmeder said. "I'm a big believer in Murphy's Law. And I've always found if you're prepared, nothing ever happens."

When asked if she believes in the possibility of an end-of-the-world scenario or economic collapse, Schmeder responded, "Yes, I do."

Jeff did not disclose the number of members but said they include both blue-collar and white-collar individuals with diverse skill sets necessary for self-sustainability at Fortitude Ranch. The ranch's eight locations are in Nevada, Maine, Wisconsin, New York, Tennessee, West Virginia, Colorado, and Texas.