Our Team

Bryan Baker & Laine D’Souza

Owners

Laine & Bryan Baker

Owners of Wagyumama Ranch, a labor of love they’ve built from the ground up, including every waterline, fenceline, barn, gym, and their home. They raise pasture-raised, humanely cared-for purebred Akaushi Wagyu, run homeschool ranching courses, and inspire a growing local community. They also own RanchFit located on the ranch teaching functional fitness and have an online fitness app. With three children, their mission is to leave a legacy of outdoor living, hard work, and accomplishment.

Bryan Baker

A third-generation rancher, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and Civil Engineer, Bryan is dedicated to preserving the art of ranching and passing this vital knowledge on to others.

Laine D’Souza

A Division 1 athlete with a degree in Theater and Film, Laine is a published author, fitness trainer, and former Shakespearean performer who inspires others to embrace strength and resilience.

Meet Lori Solen Williams Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Lori Solen Williams has always had a passion for teaching and inspiring children. Her journey began over two decades ago when she discovered her calling while volunteering at her daughter’s elementary school. What started as a spontaneous favor blossomed into a lifelong commitment to education.

Lori earned her degree from Florida International University and later a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. A Florida State Certified Teacher for 23 years, she also spent time as a pediatrician nurse at Miami Children’s Hospital before moving to Laurel Hill in 2014 to start a garden, grow blueberries, and raise chickens.

Over her 10 years with Okaloosa County Schools, Lori’s dream of creating a heart-centered curriculum that integrates fun, real-world learning never left her. Now, she’s bringing that dream to life at Wagyumama Schoolhouse. Her teaching style is warm, engaging, and uniquely her own—infused with humor, kindness, and a knack for connecting with children in ways that make learning joyful and meaningful.

For Lori, teaching isn’t just a career; it’s her life’s purpose. At Wagyumama Schoolhouse, she’s blending her professional expertise with her creative vision to nurture confident, curious, and resilient learners ready to embrace the world.

Teacher

Lori Solen Williams

Our Story

Wagyumama Schoolhouse began as a family endeavor to create meaningful education for our son while sharing ranching, sustainability, and self-reliance with other children.

As first- and third-generation ranchers, we’ve seen how working the land and raising animals fosters growth, resilience, and a deep respect for nature.

Our program blends ancient farming principles, such as nose-to-tail sustainability, with entrepreneurial thinking. Students learn to grow their own food, build practical businesses, and connect with the earth. We teach not only academics but also the life skills that matter: self-reliance, critical thinking, and creativity.

At Wagyumama Schoolhouse, children step beyond traditional classrooms into a real-world learning environment that is immersive, hands-on, and rooted in respect for the land and its resources.

Why We're Different

At Wagyumama Schoolhouse, we redefine education to focus on practicality, individuality, and real-world application.

Hands-On, Real-World Learning: Students care for animals, grow gardens, and apply math, science, and history to real-life scenarios.

Regenerative Agriculture Education: Lessons in sustainability include soil health, ecosystems, and food systems.
Entrepreneurial Skills Kids learn to develop ideas, build businesses, and solve problems creatively.
Nose-to-Tail Sustainability Teaching respect for animals and resourcefulness by using every part of what the land provides.
Small, Collaborative Class Sizes Personal attention helps nurture confidence, creativity, and individuality.
Foundation for Life Beyond academics, students gain the tools to succeed in the real world.

This isn’t just school—it’s a transformative journey of growth, connection, and discovery. At Wagyumama Schoolhouse, we’re growing more than education; we’re building the future