Amanda Pevey
Elmore Autauga News
A lifetime of memories, resilience, and family ties runs deep at 3L Ranch, where Bill Lipscomb continues a farming legacy that has shaped generations in Autauga County.
Lipscomb, a lifelong resident and third-generation cattle farmer, grew up on the land his family has called home for decades. The ranch on Lipscomb Road in Prattville has been a constant through the years, connecting grandparents, parents, children, and now grandchildren.
“We absolutely love it here. There is just no replacement for having a place like this. Having a family together and being able to enjoy each other’s company,” said Lipscomb.
That deep connection was tested in 2008, when a tornado tore through the property, destroying the home where Lipscomb and his family were living, a house once owned by his grandparents and purchased and remodeled by the family in 1997.
“A tornado came through, and it pretty much lifted the roof off the house and set it back down in the wrong place. It broke a lot of windows and doors and all that stuff, and we had to tear it down.”
In the aftermath, the family adapted. After clearing the damaged home, Lipscomb built a barn and placed a camper inside. The family lived there for 11 months while rebuilding, a chapter that underscored both hardship and determination.
The roots of 3L Ranch stretch back to 1936, when Lipscomb’s grandfather started the farm. Of his five sons, only Lipscomb’s father, Forrest Lipscomb, remained to carry on the work. The others served in the military and eventually settled elsewhere.
Lipscomb’s father served in World War II in the Philippines before returning home to farm. He later developed cancer in 1978 and died the following year, leaving behind a legacy that continues through his son and daughter.
Over the years, Lipscomb has seen cattle farming evolve significantly, driven largely by advancements in technology and education.
“We’ve learned different ways of doing things that we used to do,” Lipscomb said. “We used to use horses all the time. We learned that doing things differently was easier on us and the cattle. Handling cattle is better with good facilities such as catch pens, working alleys, chutes, and sheds or barns for shade.”
Today, conservation and stewardship are central to how Lipscomb manages the land, ensuring it remains productive for future generations.
“We need to take care of the land because it takes care of us.”
“We try to do all the recommended practices. As for erosion control, all our land is either forest or pasture, so we probably have it a little bit easier than some people. We have built fences to break the bigger plots of pasture up into smaller plots so we can rotate cattle more frequently and make better use of the land.”
Lipscomb shares the ranch with his wife, Susan, his sister, Linda, his daughter, Shannon, his son-in-law, Lee, and his grandson, Colton. He and Susan will celebrate 50 years of marriage this June. The ranch’s name — 3L — represents three generations and stands for love, loyalty, and laughter, values that remain at the heart of the family’s way of life.
Linda adds her own touch throughout the property, creating seasonal artwork displayed on the 3L Ranch sign along the road, each piece reflecting memories and moments from the farm.
For Lipscomb, the ranch is more than land or livelihood. It is a place where history, family, and purpose come together and where the next chapter is already taking shape.
