Lee Englehardt's roots run deep in agriculture. He is a third generation cattle producer from Washington State.  His family has been involved in the cow/calf business since 1878, when Lee's grandfather and his great uncle took up homesteads in the Cedonia area and Lee's grandfather began a diversified cow/calf operation. Both men donated land for and helped build the Cedonia Community Church, which is still active today. 

Lee's father began ranching a few miles from his the original homestead.  His parents developed a top quality commercial herd of Hereford cattle and in 1951 X Bar E Stock Ranch was born.  Lee was raised by parents that knew the value of the rural community and believed in putting something back into it. Lee's mother served on the school board, fair board and was a member of the Stevens County Cattlemwomen, among other organizations. His father served on the board of the Stevens County Cattlemen's Association for 32 years and was chairman of the Cattleman of the Year Committee for 20 years. Today, Lee's parents are semi-retired but remain busy and invovled.  His mother serves as treasurer of the Cattle Producers of Washington (CPoW) and his father still helps out on the ranch.

Lee began ranching in 1976 with his parents. In 1982 he graduated from college with a degree in animal science.  In 1983 he married his wife Connie and they moved to Moses Lake. In 1986 they moved onto their current ranch. In 1997 they diversified their operation to include a purebred operation that now includes 250 head of purebred South Devon cattle as well as their commercial cow herd.

Connie and Lee have three boys:  James, Lane and Chance. Lee describes his sons as "their greatest accomplishment." Lee says that one of things that make he and Connie are proudest of, besides their boys, is the fact that they make their entire living from the land and their cows. "Connie and I care very deeply about the live cattle business and agriculture overall," notes Lee. "It's in our blood."

The Englehardts continue the legacy of family involvement in their community and industry. Connie is a member of the Grant County Cattlewomen's, helps with many church activities and works on the ranch. Lee serves on the Grant County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and served 17 years wtih the Grant County Cattlemen's Association as president, vice-president and treasurer as well as a member of the board. He also serves as a board member for the NorthWest Beef Co-op, and seved four years on the Washington Cattleman's Association board of directors. Connie and Lee are co-founders of the Cattle Producers of Washington. Lee currently serves as president of CPOW. He is the Washington State R-CALF USA membership chairman and is an OCM board member. LE