The Fun Part

 Well, the 2014 Winter Cattlemen’s Edition is out, and we hope you have enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed publishing it. Focusing on Washakie County, as all of the other counties in the past, was an honor, and we truly enjoyed the chance to learn more about these producers.

Diversity was the term used when discussing reporting on the county, with strong agricultural businesses supported by cattle, sheep, horses, crops, ranching and farming.  From the mountains east and south of Ten Sleep and the badlands east of Worland to the Big Horn River and all of the irrigation and farming and the high desert on the western side of the county, Washakie County is rich with diversity and history. 

As you read in the special edition last week, Chief Washakie in 1880 described the area as a “perfect place.” Though the area has changed drastically since his time, those living there now may say the same. As with other areas of the state, water was the key in settling the county.  Early settlers realized the potential of managing the waters of the Wind River and the Big Horn River and building all the miles of canals and ditches to develop a delivery system for water from the reservoirs and rivers to the farm fields. These days, those waters are producing seed, livestock feed, sugar, malt barley and numerous other crops to sustain a large farming community, which in turn helps to support Worland, Ten Sleep and other small communities.  

Wyoming’s communities that sprang up from irrigation development have always kept the state in good shape. Worland, Riverton, Wheatland and Torrington and, for that matter, all of the towns in the Big Horn Basin grew from irrigation. They may have not grown the fastest, but they don’t have the booms and busts that the energy driven communities do. Their economies are a steady force in Wyoming. 

Like other counties, it is the people that take advantage of the resources to build and sustain the communities. Washakie County is not different. Washakie County continues to provide home to numerous individuals who have proven themselves as strong leaders, both locally and statewide. It is the people and the resources that make our job of soliciting ads and writing the stories so enjoyable. 

As we’ve said before, there is a story down every road in this state, and someone is always doing something we can all learn from. The fun part is finding the stories and writing about them. We owe many thanks to Tori Dietz and Becky Davis of the Washakie County Conservation District for pointing us in the right direction. Washakie County should be proud of the work they and others at the Conservation District do for the county and communities.

On another note, for us at the Roundup to better serve you with the latest ag news from around the state and region, we need your help. Always feel free to contact us with news from your area, or on a sad note, please let us know about the death of someone who has been involved in agriculture. We are more than pleased to honor the family and deceased by printing the obituary free of cost, we just need to know about it.  

 Reporting the news is all about what’s going on in your communities. Give us a call and let us know what story is developing at the end of your road.