Over 20 Wyoming ranches recognized for at least 100 years of continuous operation

Douglas – As part of an annual tradition on Saturday of the Wyoming State Fair, 21 farms and ranches were honored for operating in the same place for over 100 years during the 2018 Centennial Farm and Ranch Award Ceremony. 

“Wyoming is not Wyoming without agriculture,” said Gov. Matt Mead during the ceremony. “For the last 100 years, the farms and ranches being recognized have put food on the table and made Wyoming what it is.”

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) commented, “100 years ago marked the last year of World War I, and the ranches here today have been through it all – drought, wind, hail, water, snow and more. It is these good families who have brought us here today.” 

Further, Barrasso asserted agriculture and ranching families are not just the backbone of Wyoming, he said, “You have the heart, nerve and guts – the Wyoming grit – that makes this state great.” 

Going forward, Wyoming Stock Growers Association Executive Director Jim Magagna noted the vision for farms and ranches will be critical to maintaining the state’s enviable record of maintaining farms and ranches over the long-term. 

“We get to celebrate multiple generations of ranchers here today,” added Wyoming Department of Agriculture Director Doug Miyamoto. “It is a worthy accolade, and these centennial farms and ranches are the ones who define what our state is all about.” 

The following farms and ranches were honored this year. They are listed with the date their operation was founded. 

Delwin L. and Janet Ann Bass, The Bass Ranch (1917) – Goshen County

Clay Family, T-K Ranch (1900) – Albany County

Cowardin Family, The Mona Ranch (1908) – Crook County

Larry and Ruthie Cundall, The Cundall Ranch (1917) – Platte County

Marty and Darci Edwards, The Groves Ranch (1916) – Campbell County

Kenneth E. Faber, The Barney Faber Homestead (1918) – Laramie County

Robert Grant, The Grant Ranch (1884) – Platte County

Groves and Drake Family, The Sunburst Ranch (1917) – Campbell County 

Haefele Family, The Haefele Ranch (1918) – Converse County

Hageman Family, Lamp Chimney Ranch, LLC (1918) – Converse County

Mike A. Hakert Family, The Mike Alexander Hakert Homestead (1916) – Johnson County 

Richard and Donna Hakert, The Hakert Ranch (1916) – Johnson County

Kennedy Family, Vale Ranch, LLC (1918) – Albany County

Koch Family, The Four Mile Ranch (1918) – Johnson County 

Ligocki Family, Robert and Joan, Merle and Amy, The Two Horsepower Ranch (1917) – Sheridan County 

Ronda Lacey, Kaitlyn Pfister, Cally and Jackson Lund, The Jack Pfister Ranch (1916) – Niobrara County 

Pickinpaugh Family, P3 Ranch, LLC (1915) – Converse County 

Sommers Family, The Horseshoe Valley Ranch (1892) – Platte County 

Turner Family, The Turnercrest Ranch (1918) – Campbell County

Joe Weber Family, The Joe Weber Homestead Family (1917) – Platte County

Wilson, Ruffing and Holloman Families, Ruffing Trust (1896) – Niobrara County

Partners in the Wyoming Centennial Farm and Ranch Program are the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office, Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Wyoming Department of Agriculture, Wyoming Business Council, Wyoming Rural Electric Association, Wyoming Wool Growers Association and Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr.net.