New building offers new expanded opportunities for ag students, with a large new space to help students get more hands-on experience in a variety of areas.
‘Ranch Roundup’ explains CSU research projects: heart problems among a premier American cattle breed, emissions research and wireless fences are among the projects.
The trials of Sally Jones-Diamond: testing crops, building trust and shaping the future of farming through the Crops Testing Program as a trusted source of unbiased information and advice for the farmers who depend on it
The Morgan County Extension office welcomes Eric Lovell to the team as the new Horticulture and 4-H Youth Development Specialist, bringing hands on experience, academic training, and a passion for community engagement.
Area FFA chapters keeping active and finding success, including Sterling’s FFA Chapter, busy hosting fundraisers, participating in competitions, and attending conference — there is no shortage of activities for members to participate in while in high school.
In February of 2026, Marlin Eisenach will officially be inducted into the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame, recognizing his service to Colorado agriculture.
Rockie Ernst, recently retired Agricultural Education Instructor and FFA Advisor at Wiggins High School, was inducted as a Colorado FFA Foundation “Legendary Owl” on Sept. 6.
Crystal and Andy Frank didn’t intend to become agricultural educators and entrepreneurs; it just sort of happened naturally.
The Page farm was recognized during the Colorado State Fair in September as one of 18 newly-designated Centennial Farms: farming and ranching operations that have been in continuous production and owned by the same family for 100 years or more.
At John Deere Tractors at 21st Century in Fort Morgan, selling and servicing farm equipment is more than a job; it’s a way of life.
Brett Krager, of New Raymer, has found his niche raising and breeding reindeer and lighting up area children’s faces with smiles through his business, Reggie Reindeer Christmas Promotions.
Wickham Tractor Company has been part of Colorado’s agricultural story for more than six decades
Sara Waite, publisher and editor
Callie Jones, Journal-Advocate assistant editor
Robin Northrup, Fort Morgan Times staff writer
Steve Buxton, Journal-Advocate advertising representative
Andrew Ohlson, Fort Morgan Times advertising representative
Layne Petersen, graphic designer
Salute to Agriculture is a special supplement published by The Fort Morgan Times and Journal-Advocate.
Copyright 2025, Prairie Mountain Media
New building offers expanded hands-on learning opportunities for ag students
By Callie Jones Journal-Advocate
Exciting things are happening for Northeastern Junior College’s Agriculture Department. With the opening of the expanded Applied Technology Campus there is now a large new space to help ag students get more hands-on experience in a variety of areas.
“We’re very blessed to have it,” Andy Bartlett, chair of the Agriculture Department, said. “It’s incredible for our students and our faculty.”
Bartlett was at NJC, serving as an instructor, when the project was first announced but then left for a few years and has now returned in a new role as department chair. He did not have the opportunity to be part of providing input into how the new space should be designed but he gave kudos to the faculty who did, for their vision.
“I love the way they designed it to simulate a high school ag program,” he said.
The agriculture section inside the new 37,500-square-foot building includes a classroom with large windows allowing students and faculty to see out into the large shop area. David Farrow, dean of Career and Technical Education
(CTE) dubbed the space as the “ATC ballroom” comparing it to the ballroom inside the Hays Student Center on the main campus due to its size.
“This is where, if you’re going to take a building and expand, you’ve
got to have growth in classes and we’re really going to grow out in the area of precision ag. With having Andy Bartlett, his background, we’re just really excited about what they can do in this space with drones, all the different, unique,
creative ideas that he has,” Farrow said during a recent Advisory Council tour of the building.
NJC’s Ag Department has two types of students, transfer students, who will go on to continue their education at another school, and
Northeastern Junior College agriculture students work on a tractor during one of the classes held inside the new ag shop that is part of the newly expanded Applied Technology Campus. (Courtesy photo)
those who are looking to go right into an ag career after graduating. Both will take classes in the new building. For transfer students who plan to teach ag as a career, the new space will allow them to have a similar experience to what it will be like when they teach high school ag and for those going straight into the workforce it will provide hands-on learning to prepare them for their careers.
One of Bartlett’s favorite features about the new ag shop is the large hydraulic lift door, which allows instructors to bring large machinery into the building for students to work with. Instructors were unable to get some equipment into the previous shop because there wasn’t a big enough entryway.
“Now we have the ability to bring in a large combine, a sprayer, a swather. We’re able to move things in and out easily,” Bartlett said
Another plus is being able to have a dedicated space for ag and no longer having to share space with wind technology and welding classes.
Right now there only three ag classes being offered in the new building, because it just opened, but next semester classes there will include a drone class, a preci-
sion ag class, a precision planting course, a basic ag skills class, a farm carpentry class and a welding class designed to help ag ed majors learn how to teach welding and to help students going back to the
farm or ranch develop the skills they’ll need.
“For a pretty good portion of the day between the classroom and the shop this place will be filled with students,” Bartlett said.
Transfer students who are likely to have at least one class in the building include ag ed students, ag business majors, animal science students, soil and crop science students and precision ag students.
On the non-transfer side, the classroom and shop will be used by production ag students, agribusiness students and even equine business management students who are taking a basic ag skills course.
“So, if you’re a student coming to the NJC Ag Department more than likely you’ll have at least one class up here, some students might have four or five or six classes before it’s all said and done,” Bartlett said.
Along with the larger space for equipment, another feature of the new space that Bartlett is pleased with is that it allows them and other programs to be more con-
Northeastern Junior College agriculture mechanics instructor Larry Pollart teaches students how to check the tire of a trailer and wire a trailer during a class inside the new ag shop that is part of the newly expanded Applied Technology Campus. (Courtesy photo)
Applied Tech
FROM PAGE 5
nected. Along with the ag shop, the building also houses the wind technology program, the auto and diesel programs, the welding program and skilled trades.
“It’s great to have this long row of buildings. It’s just easier to work with people and communicate,” Bartlett said, giving kudos to Farrow and Gerry Whipple, CTE career navigator, for their support of the ag program and helping to keep continuity between them and other ATC departments, especially with the ag faculty teaching both in the new building and on the main campus in Beede-Hamil Hall.
Bartlett can’t say enough good things about the students they have right now, as well as the faculty. Two of the three Associated Student Government officers are ag students and a lot of the leaders on campus are from the Ag Department.
“The students we have are phenomenal,” he said, sharing that while instructors have to supervise them they don’t have to monitor everything they do because they’re a very responsible group of students.
As the Ag Department looks to use its new space to grow and provide more opportunities for students to learn, Bartlett believes that it’s important that they focus not only on new technology but also on basic skills that continue to be needed
“There’s all this new evolution in ag and we need to keep up with the changes but we also want to focus on those basic skills that students need when they leave here, just as they have for the past 30 years,” Bartlett said, for example how to build an H-brace on a fence, how to frame a shop and the basics of AC and DC electricity. “On our end, it’s trying to figure out what new classes do we need to offer or what new curriculum inside a current class do we need to change?”
The ultimate goal is to set students up for success in whatever they do after they leave NJC, which is why Bartlett encourages them not to take just the bare minimum of classes needed to graduate and transfer but to consider taking some other hands-on courses too that will make them stand out from another candidate on a job interview.
“Maybe there’s some lecture, you’re sitting in a classroom some of the time but you’re going to have hands-on activities multiple times a week in a brand new facility, state of the art equipment, that’s about as good as it gets in my opinion.
You’re not at a four-year (university), at some point maybe you are, but you’re not in a four-year (university right now) sitting in a lecture with 300 students just hearing a professor rambling on, you’re wiring a trailer or you’re troubleshooting that guidance system or working on a tractor. It’s all these hands-on things that I think are going to make them more marketable in the end as an employable candidate,” Bartlett said.
If you are interested in learning more about the agriculture courses and degrees offered at NJC, contact Bartlett at 970-521-6635 or andy.bartlett@njc.edu.
Northeastern Junior College’s newly expanded Applied Technology Campus includes not only a new ag shop but a new ag classroom right next door (Callie Jones/Journal-Advocate)
The agriculture shop inside Northeastern Junior College’s newly expanded Applied Technology Campus has a hydraulic lift door and plenty of space allowing for all kinds of equipment to be brought into the shop for students to get hands-on experience with. (Callie Jones/Journal-Advocate)
RANCH ROUNDUP
‘Ranch Roundup’ explains CSU research projects
Akron station exploring Angus cattle heart issues
By Jeff Rice Special Contributor
Heart problems among a premier American cattle breed, emissions research and wireless fences are among the research projects going on at Colorado State University.
About two-dozen livestock producers met with CSU researchers recently at the university’s Eastern Colorado Research Center north of Akron. The meeting, one of several around Colorado sponsored jointly by CSU and the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, was titled a “Ranch Roundup” and covered a variety of topics of interest to cattlemen.
Austin Couch, director of the ECRC, said research is beginning at the ECRC on the problem of heart failure among Angus cattle. Imported from Scotland in 1873, the Angus breed has become an icon of the American beef industry. Couch said the incidence of heart failure first showed up in Colorado’s high country but is now moving down onto the Great Plains. He reported that, at a recent summit on pulmonary arterial pressure, or PAP, among cattle, problems seemed to appear more frequently in the Angus breed.
“We saw graphs that as you move from zero percent black Angus to 100 percent black Angus, your likelihood of those heart failures increased,” Couch said. “And so we’re starting to look at that here (at ECRC.) We’ve had issues on our own feedlot. We’ve also just finished up a study with some talent here in the feedlot. I’m sure we’re looking at a
lot more nutrition studies.”
The American Angus Association has recognized the importance of CSU’s research and, in a recent monograph on the organization’s website, related some of the university’s findings. The affliction appears to be related to high altitude disease, commonly called “brisket disease,” which can lead to failure on the right side of the animal’s heart. The monograph indicates the condition appears most often above 5,000 feet of altitude where “hypoxic environments challenge heart and lung function.”
Asked whether the condition is caused by more rapid rate of gain, Couch said that could be part of the problem, especially at higher altitudes, but it’s more of a genetic problem among the breed. He said ongoing research will involve stu-
dents from CSU and Northeastern Junior College in Sterling doing testing of the Angus herd at the research center.
Matt Wilson, a researcher at West Virginia University, briefed the group on research he’s doing, along with CSU scientists, on methane emissions from cattle. American ranching and feeding operations often are tagged as “major contributors” to methane pollution, but a close look at the statistics shows that U.S. livestock contribute only a small fraction of the overall emissions.
Using data from the Environmental Protection Agency and Stanford University, U.S. livestock operations appear to contribute 0.06 percent of global methane emissions
Still, researchers at WVU and CSU are working hard to reduce the amount of methane cattle burp into
the atmosphere. Wilson showed a portable unit used to measure methane emissions on cattle in the pasture. The unit contains a watering dish to entice the animal onto a scale where it is weighed and methane exhalations are measured. The data is then gathered and analyzed.
To help identify and control test cattle, researchers are using virtual fencing collars keyed to global positioning satellites. Wilson said the collars, which are much less expensive than fencing, has a number of advantages.
“We were able to manage those cattle on much larger pieces of ground,” he said. “We can run in our area about two to three acres per head (and) be able to rotate those animals in a large boundary. Then, as a researcher, I’m able to get a bunch of data about how those
Angus cattle in a pen at CSU’s Eastern Colorado Research Center north of Akron (Jeff Rice/Special Contributor)
animals move throughout the day, how much time are they spending grazing or stationary, ruminating or moving from place to place.”
Wilson said he faced a lot of skepticism about the collars from his colleagues at WVU, but once they saw results, they quickly changed their minds.
“Up until the day that the graduate students and I installed those collars on the heifers, all the farm managers at the university said, ‘Cute but you know it won’t work,’” he said. “And the next day they were asking about how much are collars and how many do we need to have?”
Wilson concluded his presentation by encouraging ranchers to embrace technology as a way to maximize their efforts at efficient ranching.
“The notion of being able to better manage animals is something that we should be doing,” he said. “Cattle prices are not always going to be what they are today. And I think now’s the time that thinking about technologies that can advance things
on your farm or on ranch is really an opportunity that we’ve got in the industry today.”
Left: CSU researcher Anna Shadbolt shows a tracking collar used to confine cattle to a specific grazing area and monitor their movement.
(Jeff Rice/Special Contributor); Right: Prof. Matthew Wilson explains the purpose of a portable methane and weight measuring station used to gather data on cattle grazing in a pasture (Jeff Rice/Special Contributor)
THE FUTURE OF FARMING
The trials of Sally Jones-Diamond
Testing crops, building trust and shaping the future of farming
By Eric Butterman Colorado State University
Sally Jones-Diamond’s story begins on the windswept plains of eastern Colorado, where she grew up on a dryland farm and learned firsthand the grit it takes to work the land. Today, she and her husband run Milo Farms, LLC, just down the road from where she was raised. Her journey with the Crops Testing Program runs just as deep — starting 15 years ago as a graduate research assistant, moving into a research agronomist role, and, since 2021, leading the nonprofit as its director. In that role, she’s guiding the program through changing times while keeping its mission steady: to be a trusted source of unbiased information and advice for the farmers who depend on it.
What are some important contributions from the Crop Testing Program?
SJD >> We are in charge of variety trials and we are similar to the Consumer Reports for farmers and that’s what we strive to be. We have unbiased variety information around yield and look at areas such as grain quality and plant growth habits, and
we do that not just for corn but winter wheat, sorghum, black-eyed pea, sunflower, dry beans and more. It’s testing in our trials for total grain or forage yield, quality, and plant characteristics such as maturity and disease resistance.
Who is served by the Crop Testing Program?
SJD >> This is for farmers primarily. It’s an extension service, though we are not part of extension formally. We are also serving other researchers. Researchers will use our historical data and look at how trends have changed over time. We go back so far that data is available for other studies — one example is studying the
environment or crop management by plant genetic interactions over time to help improve management practices. The ag industry also benefits as a whole and it could be private companies as well because we are testing a lot of private companies’ products, not just genetics — though that is our core program. We also do a lot of
The director of Colorado State University’s Akron-based Crops Testing Program pushes the organization forward in variety trials, giving direction to farmers in Colorado and beyond (Photo courtesy Colorado State University)
research in crop management. Crop management could include testing fertilizers or biologicals, or practices like seeding rates or planting dates to give a few examples. Our goal is to provide unbiased and quality data that helps the industry as a whole, whether that’s in the development of new and novel products or showing how different practices can affect production for farmers.
How do you send out the information to the public?
SJD >> It’s completely free for the public to access. We’re a public service, a nonprofit I post the data on our website, such as wheat trial data, and so much of our work here is looked at by folks in Colorado and also Kansas and Nebraska but we get people from all over the world who want the information. For the website, we try to have single location results within a week of harvest We compile results into a report for that crop and then that report will get published online, but we also have an email list and I will send it to local co-ops or agronomists. We share it
at field days where anyone can get it and we give presentations to crop advisors and farmers at places like the (Colorado) Farm Show. Some farmers will call and text me and ask, “How do we do this?” “What will this variety do?” It’s important to be available to farmers.
Has there been data in your time with the organization that came out that was particularly surprising?
SJD >> Probably one of my favorite projects was one we started on before I became director and that we are still working on. We were looking at black-eyed pea production. This came about by looking at alternative crops for production. What happened was we had a researcher from Spain who came around 2017 and 2018 and they wanted us to look to black-eyed peas — and they have been amazing, they are a great fit for dry land production but also limited irrigation. There is a market for them here. You find a cool crop agronomically but then there are usually issues with markets to sell the
grain. The black-eyed pea varieties grown right now are over 40 years old and are the only two commercially available varieties produced here. What was found is they (black-eyed peas) can be adapted, can be grown here and it’s great for our cropping system. There is a split between dry land and irrigated and I’m talking about dryland in this case. It’s harder to do research on dry land and harder to produce a wider array of crops in dryland in eastern Colorado. Here, you only get about 15 inches of rainfall annually. Our cropping system for dryland is winter wheat based and maybe you get some dryland corn, dryland grain sorghum and dryland proso millet in the rotation. The commonality is they are all-grasses — when we can include black-eyed peas, we have a legume in our rotation. It helps with weed control, nitrogen fixation, and more diversity in your cropping system, which is always a good thing.
Can you tell us more about the environment and the community. You have
the dryness of Akron, for example — the Dust Bowl is in its past, but, without caring, it could return again. SJD >> Let me answer it from a personal point of view rather than a scientific one for a moment. I grew up about 50 miles south of Akron and this is home. To me, growing up out here, we didn’t necessarily have the Dust Bowl conditions, but it still happens with big dust storms that will come across in southeast Colorado or, when it’s a farm or field without good residue, it will blow. It’s not good for top soil. On the larger landscape, the fact of the matter is that many farms are consolidating so there are fewer family farms. Farms that do exist tend to get larger. Part of it is the need to have the volume to survive and I am learning that with the farm I own with my husband. He is the operator and I’m the paper pusher for right now and it’s eye opening. There are so many factors and it gives you a deep respect for farming out here. Our farm is located in Akron — we grow all dry land crops, a lot of grain
Sally Jones-Diamond
sorghum, black-eyed peas for commercial production, a little bit of corn and more. I grew up on a dryland farm near Arriba right along I-70 and it involved winter wheat and proso millet and more. When I was 8, I moved to Flagler close by and then I was a town kid and my oldest brother operates the farm I grew up on. I’ve seen farming from different sides and I think a key for success is information. Farming has had to move with the times and there are many farmers out here who are open-minded and want to learn new ways. That is vital to the future.
What is the Crops Testing Program’s future?
SJD >> I feel like in the last few years I’ve really tried to focus even more on doing research where it is directly applicable and usable by the farmers. You want to be hopefully ahead of the curve related to extend-
ing information. Especially with some of the forward-thinking farmers, you have farmers coming to us who ask us not just about potential research but they have their own curiosity: “Can you do this testing on alternative crops or maybe should you look at this?” Our extension service right now doesn’t have many agronomy agents for the whole state of Colorado. It’s a challenge to stay ahead of the curve and teach when there are so few people to do that. I feel this program is trying to help with that gap. We’re trying to provide data and information and expertise that people can come to us in regards to. We’re based in rural Colorado so we’re out here and part of the community. For me, I have a very vested stake in being relevant.
How did your time at Colorado State serve you in your career and life today?
SJD >> You can start with meeting my husband Jim while we were in Agronomy Club when I was an undergraduate. I would say the school
gave me confidence. It set me up well to do what I’m doing. Professors gave me direction. I had a senior seminar class with Gary Peterson in undergrad and he shared his knowledge and experience. He gave me confidence to apply for graduate school and I talked to [former CSU Crops Testing Program director] Jerry Johnson and he gave me an assistantship at this organization that I’m still at. He was my mentor for 15 years and still is. He was my advisor during graduate school. I wouldn’t have my job today if not for him — he trained me for this job and he helped convince me I could do this job. He slowly took pieces of the program and gave me responsibility when it came to them — from sorghum research or working with the commodity groups, he slowly got me more and more involved.
What is your goal for Milo Farms?
SJD >> Milo Farms is down the road and we’re still in the phase of our farm that’s very much about growing and renting more ground and being
more self-sufficient in equipment and income. My husband and I don’t have kids, and we want to get the farm into position to someday find someone young or multiple young people that might be interested in doing this. That next generation is so important to the future of farming. What would you say about your mentorship of young people and your encouragement towards women to be in agriculture?
SJD >> It’s a pleasure to show young people what’s exciting about ag. We have interns who are high school and early college students and we want to help their thinking scientifically and also encourage their ideas for the future of ag. I think it’s become better for women in ag, though it’s had its challenges. I want to show women that they can be a part of it and lead the way — some women don’t think of this industry because it hasn’t been presented to them. A big part of it is just getting the industry in front of them.
HORTICULTURE & 4-H
Eric Lovell joins Morgan County Extension
By Robin Northrup Fort Morgan Times
The Morgan County Extension office welcomed Eric Lovell to the team on July 7 as the new Horticulture and 4-H Youth Development Specialist. Lovell brings hands on experience, academic training, and a passion for community engagement to his new role.
“I grew up in Logan County and participated in 4-H for 11 years and FFA for four years at Fleming High School,” Lovell said. “Those experiences inspired me to look into extension as a career.”
As a youth, Lovell says he explored a wide range of projects, with gardening, geology, and archery standing out as personal favorites. During high school, he started and managed a community garden and sold produce at the Logan County Farmer’s Market.
Lovell earned his Bachelor of Science in Agroecology from the University of Wyoming in spring 2020, with minors in Soil Science, Plant Protection, and Horticulture. His college internship took him to the Brush Creek Ranch greenhouses, where he helped grow produce for the ranch’s five-star kitchens. Today, he continues to nurture his love of plants, caring for more than 500 houseplants at home.
Professionally, Lovell has served as the horticulturist at the UW LREC research greenhouse, managed a nonprofit community garden in Casper, Wyoming, and worked as a USDA-NRCS conservation planner in Sterling. He is recognized as an Associate Professional Horticulturist by the American Society for Horticultural Science and is currently pursuing arborist certification through the International Society for Arboriculture.
In his new role, Lovell says he is focused on connecting Morgan
County residents with science-based horticultural resources and youth development opportunities.
“I’m still learning the community’s needs, but I’ve already seen strong interest in tree health, weed management, and local food production,” he said.
Lovell plans to join the Weed Advisory Board and develop educational materials on noxious weed control. He’s also preparing to lead tree health workshops after completing specialized training in urban forestry. To improve access to fresh produce, he’s working with Master Gardeners and local partners to launch a community garden in Morgan County.
“I’m excited to be here and look forward to meeting everyone,” he said.
Eric Lovell can be reached at the Morgan County Extension Office, 914 E. Railroad Ave. in Fort Morgan, by phone at 970-542-3540 or email eric. lovell@colostate.edu.
Eric Lovell joined the Morgan County Extension office on July 7, as the new Horticulture and 4-H Youth Development Specialist. (Photo courtesy Morgan County Extension website)
Sterling FFA continues to keep busy
By Bailey Jackson Sterling FFA Member
The Sterling FFA Chapter seems to always be busy doing something. Whether it’s hosting fundraisers, participating in competitions, or attending conferences or conventions, there is no shortage of activities for members to participate in while in high school. Since December 2024, the Sterling FFA Chapter has been actively engaged in various ways, as highlighted below.
In December 2024, Mrs. Reed, the Sterling FFA Advisor, was selected to represent Colorado in the Teachers Turn the Key Professional Development at the National Association for Agricultural Educators (NAAE) conference in San Antonio. Mrs. Reed was selected by her fellow ag teachers to receive this honor. This award goes to an outstanding first through third-year ag teacher who reaches new heights and ceaselessly strives to improve their students’ learning experience. At this event, she attended workshops to further enhance her teaching skills, networked with other agricultural educators, and gained valuable insights into curriculum development.
Spring is always a very busy time for Sterling FFA. We attend the National Western Stock Show, participate in Career Development
Events, host the Northeastern Colorado Stock Show and the Sterling FFA Oyster Fry and Hired Hand Auction, and recognize members’ accomplishments at the Banquet.
This past spring, we had many successes. Our Northeastern Colorado Stock Show and the annual Oyster Fry allowed our Chapter to raise funds for the upcoming year. These events would not have
been possible without the generous support of our community partners. We especially would like to recognize Nutrien Ag Solutions for generously providing the protein for our annual Oyster Fry!
Other highlights from the spring include 23 students attending the State Career Development Event Contests at Colorado State University. Students competed in a variety
of contests, including Food Science and Technology, Agricultural Mechanics, Milk Quality and Products, Horse Evaluation, and Meats Evaluation and Technology. The Meats Evaluation and Technology team which consisted of Dakota Fickes, Grace Petersen, Alie Sator, and Tyla Thomas, ended the season with a Gold Team award!
Also in May, we held our annual
Sterling High School FFA members are pictured at the chapter’s annual awards banquet. (Courtesy photo)
The St
Chapter Banquet, where we recognized our members’ accomplishments. Greenhand and Chapter Degrees were awarded, newly elected officers were installed, seniors retired their jackets, and we recognized outstanding individuals and businesses from the community
In June, the Sterling FFA Chap-
ter attended the State FFA Convention in Pueblo. The attending students participated in leadership workshops, attended sessions, and explored the career fair.
Sterling FFA also had four State FFA Degree recipients: Kali Graber, Logan Gray, Vanessa Harty, and Taryn Seifried. Being
The Sterling FFA chapter represented in the 2025 Logan County Fair Parade. (Courtesy photo)
Sterling FFA
a State Degree Recipient means students receive the highest honor a State Association can bestow on its members. Eligible students are required to participate in numerous FFA activities and earn or productively invest $2,500 or 750 hours in their Supervised Agricultural Experiences. Our Sterling FFA members who received this award demonstrated commitment, leadership, and dedication to the FFA organization throughout high school.
Much of State Convention consisted of cheering on recent Sterling High School graduate, Grace Petersen. She served as the Chapter
President last year and truly gave her all when it came to FFA. At State Convention, Grace was recognized as the State Proficiency Winner in Ag Communications. Grace also represented District XVI in the State Convention in the Extemporaneous Speaking contest and interviewed for a State FFA Officer position.
Following her Proficiency win at State, she submitted her Proficiency application to National FFA. She received a Bronze rating at the National level! Grace was a huge asset to the Sterling FFA Chapter and left big shoes to fill.
Other events throughout the summer consisted of SAE visits, which were conducted with Mrs. Reed and students who wished to showcase their SAE projects, the
Logan County Fair, and the Chapter Officer Retreat
As the school year is getting into full swing, you can find the 109 Sterling FFA members working hard in ag classes, participating in range judging contests, attending the Becoming Involved as a Greenhand Conference, gathering at the Baseggio Pumpkin Patch for the October meeting, or simply prepar-
ing for the many events ahead! Lastly, although they are too numerous to list, the Sterling FFA Chapter would like to recognize those individuals, businesses, and organizations that helped to make last year successful. We could not have done it without your support! Here’s looking forward to another record year for the Sterling FFA Chapter
Sterling High School FFA member Grace Petersen was the State Proficiency winner in Ag Communications (Courtesy photo)
Sterling High School FFA Advisor Whitney Reed received the the National Association for Agricultural Educators’ Teachers Turn the Key Award (Courtesy photo)
Peetz FFA members keeping active
Peetz High School was well represented at the Colorado State FFA Convention in June. (Photo courtesy Peetz FFA Chapter Facebook page)
Peetz High School FFA members helped out at the 22nd annual Feeders and Friends Benefit in New Raymer in August.
(Photo courtesy Peetz FFA Chapter)
Peetz High School FFA members recently competed in the regional range judging contest with Janda and Joslynn placing in the silver category and Parker placing in the bronze category (Photo courtesy Peetz FFA Chapter Facebook page)
Peetz High School FFA members recently competed in the regional range judging contest with Janda and Joslynn placing in the silver category and Parker placing in the bronze category (Photo courtesy Peetz FFA Chapter Facebook page)
Peetz High School FFA’s 2025-26 officer team took part in an officer retreat earlier this fall. (Photo courtesy Peetz FFA Chapter Facebook page)
Merino FFA finds success at regional judging contest
Merino High School FFA was second high team overall at the regional range judging contest in New Raymer Jasper Boyce was High Individual, Aislyn Samber placed third, Lauren Lorenzo placed eighth, and Kacey Erickson placed ninth. As a team they finished first in Plant Identification and third in Site Evaluation. There were 14 teams present at the event, with 129 contestants. (Photo courtesy Merino Jr/Sr High School Facebook page)
Caliche FFA helps beautify school
We’reappreciativeand privileged to support our localfarmers,ranchers, andbusinesses. -Your localcommunitybank and neighbors,Farmers Bank
Caliche High School’s FFA Chapter and National Honor Society Chapter have been working on a joint project this fall to spruce up the school. Recently they laid a little concrete for the project.
(Photo courtesy Caliche Schools Facebook page)
Caliche High School’s FFA Chapter and National Honor Society Chapter have been working on a joint project this fall to spruce up the school. Recently they laid a little concrete for the project. (Photo courtesy Caliche Schools Facebook page)
Caliche High School’s FFA Chapter and National Honor Society Chapter have been working on a joint project this fall to spruce up the school. Recently they laid a little concrete for the project.
(Photo courtesy Caliche Schools Facebook page)
Fleming FFA students earn state degrees
Fleming High School FFA members Savannah Taylor and Peter Brekel received their FFA State Degree at the Colorado FFA State Convention in June.
(Photo courtesy Fleming Wildcat Chat)
HALL OF FAME
Marlin Eisenach’s impact on ag earns him place in Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame
Longtime Morgan County CSU Extension agent recognized for commitment to industry
By Robin Northrup Fort Morgan Times
In February of 2026, Marlin Eisenach will officially be inducted into the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame, recognizing his service to Colorado agriculture.
Presented by the Farm Credit Associations of Colorado, the Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made a lasting impact locally, statewide, nationally, or internationally. That impact is evident in Eisenach’s nearly four decades as Morgan County’s CSU Extension livestock agent. His work has supported pro-
ducers, guided youth, and strengthened livestock education across the state. He’s held leadership roles with the Colorado State Fair, the National Western Stock Show, the Colorado Pork Producers Council, and CSU Extension’s Livestock Task Force.
As part of the Morgan County Extension office, Eisenach contributes to a broader mission that serves residents in five areas: agriculture, family and consumer science, horticulture, livestock, and 4-H youth development. Whether he’s answering questions in the field or mentoring students at the fairgrounds, his approach reflects the Extension office purpose,
bringing research based education directly to the community.
Eisenach says it’s the people who make the job worthwhile.
“I’ve got the best job in the world, and every day is different,” he said. “Sometimes the first email or phone call I get in the morning changes my whole day.”
He explained that Extension is a public service and part of the land grant university system. It’s education. The office is funded through the county and there is no charge for the help, unless it requires testing. The help covers everything from livestock nutrition and crop management to food safety and youth education.
“We teach kids how to raise animals the right way,” he said. “We educate them on how to give injections, avoid damaging high value cuts of meat, how to read pesticide labels. If it says wait 14 days before harvest, you wait 14 days.”
With degrees in both animal
science and agronomy, he brings a well rounded understanding of farm management.
“If you don’t know anything about crops, you won’t understand irrigation,” he said. “I spent 14 years in production before I joined Extension, and that experience matters.”
He says he values the role of university research in guiding local decisions: “I always look for research that’s grounded local, university based, and relevant to our conditions.”
He turns to Colorado State University and other land grant institutions for guidance. “Every state has an Extension office in every county,” he added. “That’s part of the land grant system and it’s meant to bring education to the community. I won’t tell anyone anything that I don’t know is true.”
Over the years, he’s also participated in studies that track animal performance from feedlot
Marlin Eisenach, from the Morgan County Extension Office, will officially be inducted into the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame in February 2026. (Photo from Morgan County Extension Office website)
to carcass to see how feed changes affected gain and meat color He says that is the kind of information producers can use.
Eisenach also says that he’s fascinated by how technology is reshaping agriculture, from drones to variable rate planting, and he’s realistic about its reach.
“If you’ve only got 160 acres, you may not be able to afford that kind of equipment,” he said. “You need 600 or 700 acres to make it work. That’s why farms are getting bigger.”
When asked what has kept him in this career for so long, Eisenach says, “You don’t need a fancy title to help someone. You just need to care, and you need to know where to look for answers.”
Marlin Eisenach from the Morgan County Extension office at the 2025 Morgan County Fair in Brush overseeing Catch-It participants. (Robin Northrup/Morgan County Times)
Right: Morgan County Extension Agent Marlin Eisenach, right, was presented with the Stow Witwer Legacy Award by National Western Stock Show CEO Paul Andrews and Sarah Wiens, Miss Rodeo Colorado, during the championship cattle drive at the stock show in Denver in 2013. (File photo)
Below: Dr Keith Belk (right), Department Head Animal Sciences congratulates Marlin Eisenach (left) for receiving the 2023 Livestock Leader award (Special to The Times)
Wiggins resident Rockie Ernst honored with Legendary Owl induction by state FFA
FFA Legendary Owl Rockie Ernst of Wiggins, and his wife Rowana. (Courtesy photo/Otis Telegraph)
Above: At the 2025 Wiggins FFA Hired Hand Auction, retiring FFA Instructor Rocky Ernst was joined by his wife Rowana to received a plaque honoring his 40 years of dedication to the Wiggins Agricultural Education Program and Wiggins FFA Chapter. (Robin Northrup/ Morgan County Times); Left: Rockie Ernst, Wiggins ag instructor, was awarded Outstanding Service Citation Award at the 2021 Colorado Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association Banquet. He was also recognized as a 35-year member in CVATA (Courtesy photo)
CAF Cattle Co. is part of growing trend in meat production industry
Frank family’s direct-marketing business born from a desire to be self-sufficient
By Jeff Rice Special Contributor
Crystal and Andy Frank didn’t intend to become agricultural educators and entrepreneurs; it just sort of happened naturally
“We wanted to eat our own homegrown meat, and so then it started with a few friends and family,” Crystal Frank said. “So it started kind of just on the literal concept of making sure we had enough for ourselves and for our immediate surrounding family, and then some of our friends started asking, is really what got the ball rolling.”
The result is CAF Cattle Co. and the Franks have joined the growing trend of livestock producers who sell directly to the public rather than selling their cattle to be processed by a corporate slaughter house and re-sold into the retail food chain. They have their own cow herd, raise the calves on grass and finish them in their own feedlot, and then have a local meat market process the animals into various beef products, which they sell out of a bank of freezers in their garage. They even have a website, www.cafcattlecompany. com, where customers can learn more
about the operation.
The direct marketing advantage to customers is a combination of quality and price. The Franks estimate a quarter or half of a carcass costs between $6 and $8 a pound; while that makes for pricey hamburger it also makes for very affordable steaks and roasts. A 1-inch thick ribeye steak at Walmart will run around $18 per pound.
An even greater advantage, in the Franks’ opinion, is the quality of the meat. Andy is an animal nutritionist and is careful to feed rations aimed at producing the most nutritious, tastiest product possible.
“Our tenderness is built in. Our flavor is built in,” Andy said. “I feel there’s certain feedstuffs that take flavor out and others that put different flavors in. That’s why a grass fed (animal) is going to taste different than a corn fed just because that’s what they’re eating differently.”
Being an all-in-one operation does require a lot more work and a wider variety of skills, but it pays off by giving the producer more control over costs and income, an advantage that is partly responsible for the growing number of direct marketing ranchers.
“That was part of the reason, we were trying to capture more of that
consumer dollar,” Andy said. “Just trying to help our farm, so we didn’t have to have as many animals. If we could make $2 instead of $1, we only needed half as many animals.”
Just as important to the Franks, however, is the educational aspect of what they do. Andy estimates that about 60 percent of their customers are from the Front Range, thanks to word of mouth and the marketing the Franks do on their website, cafcattlecompany.com. That customer base al-
lows the Franks to educate consumers about where their food comes from.
“The ag education side is wanting to help people understand that your food just doesn’t automatically show up in the supermarket. You’ve got to go back to the producers,” Crystal said. “We spent a lot of time doing ag education and Andy’s done a lot of Farm Bureau stuff with us and so part of that was wanting to help people understand their meat products and the cuts of meat and what you’re eating and why
Frank family portrait taken a few years ago, now posted on the CAF Cattle Co. Facebook page. From left, Jacob, Andy, Crystal, Julia and AJ.
you’re eating that.”
Repeat customers are the heart of any successful small business and the Franks work to make sure first-time
customers are wellinformed.
“It takes a substantial amount of time to talk them through, here’s what you’re going to get and here’s what the different steaks are,” Crystal said. “Onboarding a new customer, you’re probably looking at like an hour of time versus a third-year customer you’re doing 10 to 15 minutes.”
The meat education gives the Franks a chance to educate about agriculture in general as well. Many of their urban customers will drive to the farm north of Iliff to pick up their orders, giving them a chance to get out into the real Colorado countryside and get a taste of country living. They usually bring their families, and the Franks are happy to take visitors around to visit the animals.
The Franks have expanded their offerings into virtually every type of traditional animal protein. Besides beef, they raise hogs, sheep, turkeys and chickens, and offer specialty items like bratwursts. And to help with the endless work of running a farm and ranch operation, Andy and Crystal press
Over 50 years in business!
their children into service. AJ is 12 yrs old and in seventh grade; twins, Julia and Jacob are nine years old and in fourth grade. The children also buy the turkeys and lambs themselves, part of their operation to help raise money for their 4-H livestock products.
Crystal may be the marketing public and relations expert in the operation, but she’s also a mom. During the interview for this article, a begrimed Jacob popped in to alert his parents they were out of feed for the lambs. Crystal thanked him for the information, then sent him off to wash his face.
The Franks don’t plan to expand their operation, but they would like to move more into retail of specific cuts of meat. To that end, they dream of a direct-to-customer store of sorts where farm families from around the area could sell their produce, honey, homecanned goods and other foodstuffs.
“We would love to be able to just let people come shop in our freezers in our garage and like turn it into a shop,” Crystal said. “I think that would be our dream. That would be great.”
Individual beef cuts for sale in the Frank freezer.
Photo by Jeff Rice.
Page family’s farm, rich in family memories, joins Centennial Farm list
Cope-area farm homesteaded in 1917
By Jeff Rice Special Contributor
Arnold Page’s fondest memory of growing up on the family farm is his grandmother’s peanut butter cookies.
“She always had a drawer of peanut butter cookies she made up here. They was always good,” he said.
There also was the benefit of growing up surrounded by the extended family
“One of dad’s sisters and her kids lived in a little house just to the south of the well house here. And they come up and we played with the kids there,” he said. “That was my cousins, Dean and Bill and Pam. When I grew up here, I had two uncles, my grandpa and grandma, and mom and dad. The two uncles and my mom are all related.”
Those cousins, aunts and uncles all were descendants of Ezra Amaziah and Dora Page, who homesteaded north of Cope, Colo., in 1917.
The Page farm was recognized during the Colorado State Fair in September as one of 18 newly-designated Centennial Farms. Those are farming and ranching operations that have been in continuous production and owned by the same family for 100
years or more.
Ezra Page, also known as E.A. or Amy, was born and grew up in Ringold County, Iowa. The county seat, Mount Ayr, is halfway between De Moines and Kansas City.
Amy married Dora May Welton on Feb. 2, 1908; they had their first child, Ezra Birl, known as Birl, in 1909 and started their journey to Colorado in 1913, alternating between farming in Colorado and working other jobs back east during the off-season. They finally homesteaded in 1917 north of Cope.
Their first home was a dugout, a home that is usually dug into the side of a hill and roofed over. Later Amy would build a cement block home, forming the blocks himself, for the family
Farming in eastern Colorado was risky business and most families had a “Plan B.” For the Pages that backup plan was taking the family 600 miles in a covered wagon to work delivering coal for Amy’s brother-in-law, Bill Welton in Independence, Missouri. He would work there for the winter and then travel back in a covered wagon to Colo-
rado. He would sometimes send Dora and the younger children by train. The trip took 12 days at 50 miles a day in the wagon.
According to the Page family history, Ezra farmed, plowing the fields with a one row plow, with a horse to pull it. They raised cattle and chickens and hunted the wildlife, which was
plentiful. The rabbits were so thick that the settlers would get together and have jackrabbit roundups. When money got tight, they would pack up their covered wagon and go back to Independence.
They raised six children: Ezra Birl, born in Iowa in 1909; Eva Maude, born in Iowa in 1910; Bessie M., born
Above: First House: The concrete block house Amy Page built on the original homestead Only the foundation remains. Left: Second House: Concrete block home on the purchased 320 acres, today occupied by Richard Page’s widow, June. (Courtesy/Page Farm)
in Colorado in 1911; William Clifford born in Nebraska in 1912; Lovila A. born in Colorado in 1921; and Lettie Valeta born in Missouri in 1926. A seventh infant, Marion Earnest, died at birth in Colorado in 1917.
Ezra and his sons raised and trained horses to ride or pull wagons. They sold them to the Price Ranch
In 1940 he bought an additional 320 acres — land that was adjoining the road that became the Otis Highway, a.k.a. Washington County Road RR. He later moved the roof in one unit from his homestead house to his new cement block house, four miles, by tying two hay racks together, pulled by a team of horses. He did the same with the new barn at the new location.
Ezra and Dora retired in 1963 and moved to Wray, Colo. The homestead land was deeded to their children in 1963. The purchased 320 acres was bought by their grandson, Richard I. Page and his wife, June in 1963. Richard is the son of Ezra’s oldest son, Ezra Birl.
Richard, called Irvin, pastured
his cattle on the homestead land for several years and in 1973, Irvin and June bought the original homestead land. In 1975, Irvin applied for a well permit and installed a center-pivot sprinkler, growing corn and alfalfa until 2001 when the well was plugged and the land restored to pasture grass and Irvin ran cattle on the land. Irvin
passed in 2020 and his wife, June still resides on County Road RR as owner of the homestead land and purchased land. Irvin and June had four children, Marlene Kleinmann, Margaret Eskew, Irene Ashlock and Dennis Page. Irvin’s brother, Arnold and Arnold’s son, Jason rent the pastures and farm other land for June.
The Pages have been 4-H and FFA members and supporters for three generations. Arnold earned a State FFA degree in high school, as have his grandsons Hayden and Keith. Jason was awarded the coveted American FFA Degree when he graduated from high school.
According to the FFA website, the State FFA Degree is awarded by State Associations and is open to members in 11th grade or higher who are involved in chapter leadership, state–level activities and community service, and who complete a set number of hours of instruction and SAE growth and productivity. The American FFA Degree, considered the gold standard, is the highest FFA degree. It is awarded to high school graduate members with demonstrated leadership, community service, academic success and outstanding SAE programs.
The Pages today farm roughly 4,000 acres of land and pasture 300 head of Black Angus on another 4,000 acres. They raise wheat, dryland and irrigated corn and proso millet.
Parts of two worn-out tractors came together for this machine, which worked the Page farm for many years. (Courtesy/Page Farm)
Relationships key to success for John Deere Tractor at 21st Century Equipment
By Robin Northrup Fort Morgan Times
At John Deere Tractors at 21st Century in Fort Morgan, selling and servicing farm equipment is more than a job; it’s a way of life.
For Doug Wulf, Production Ag account manager, and Dave Hazlett, mechanic, it’s a career built on decades of trust, community, and commitment. Wulf and Hazlett both started with KayJan, the company that preceded 21st Century John Deere.
Doug Wulf’s journey began over 30 years ago.
“I stumbled in the door one day for a change,” he said. “I started as a mechanic, then became a truck driver, and then a salesman.
“We’re not just selling machines. We’re account managers, partners,
sometimes even family. The other day I helped a customer, and as I was leaving, about six o’clock at night, she handed me cabbage pockets to take home,” he continued. “That kind of thing gives you a warm fuzzy feeling. When you are working in the country, late at night, they’ll offer you something to drink. They’re your friends.”
For Wulf, those friendships are the most rewarding part of the job, and when he leaves someday, he will take all those relationships with him.
Wulf said he sells everything from lawn mowers to combines, and GPS
systems to compact utility tractors.
“We’re the first call when something goes wrong,” he explains. “We schedule service, deliver parts, and help with billing. If their kid has a birthday, we don’t miss it.”
Whether someone is spending $3,000 or $3 million, his philosophy is the same: “You can’t treat those customers any differently
Doug Wulf, Production Ag Account Manager, and Dave Hazlett, Mechanic have both been working for more than 30 years at John Deere Tractors at 21st Century in Fort Morgan. Both agree, it’s not just a job, it’s building relationships with customers. (Robin Northrup/Fort Morgan Times)
These machines cost more than most houses.”
Hazlett, known locally as “the Combine Doctor,” spent 30 years on a service truck, fixing equipment on farms across the region.
“You’re not just fixing a machine, you’re stepping into someone’s business, meeting their family, seeing how they operate. That builds trust,” he said.
Raised on a farm in Nebraska, he learned early how to repair equipment. “We fixed our own equipment growing up,” he said. “That’s how I got into this business.”
Hazlett says he is proud of the relationships he’s built working at John Deere.
“At first, being a service tech meant dealing with customers at their most frustrated,” he said. “But over time, they start calling you directly because they know you’ll take care of it.”
He encourages young people to consider the field.
“It’s not a nine-to-five job. We can
get calls at midnight during harvest, and might work until eight at night. But if you enjoy helping people, it’s a great career,” he said.
John Deere, Gullion says there is a Deere Training Center in Sterling.
“That’s where our techs go to get certified,” he explained. “They learn the systems, the diagnostics, and how to work with the equipment the right way.”
While some local training still happens in store, formal certification is completed through John Deere’s program.
Gullion says he is proud of his team, and as far as Wulf and Hazlett, “They’ve mentored so many people over the years. We’re lucky to have them.”
sense of urgency, follow through, caring and personal skills. “Some of our current service and parts managers don’t have ag backgrounds, but they know how to take care of people.”
If you have considered a career at
John Deere at 21st Century in Fort Morgan will be holding a Career Night at 20911 US-34 in Fort Morgan on Nov. 11, from 4 to 7 p.m. The public is invited to meet the Parts, Sales, Service, and Technology teams to learn about the opportunities available. Take a guided tour of the store and see the equipment up close. Bring your resume, and on-site interviews will be held with qualified candidates that evening.
John Deere 9RT series tractors, like the 9RT 490, 9RT 540, 9RT 570, and 9RT 590 models, are known for being powerful and reliable. (Courtesy/John Deere)
RAISING REINDEER
Local reindeer business brings holiday cheer to communities around Colorado
By Callie Jones Journal Advocate
When you think of livestock on the northeastern Colorado plains, reindeer probably don’t come to mind. But, Brett Krager, of New Raymer, has found his niche raising and breeding reindeer and lighting up area children’s faces with smiles through his business, Reggie Reindeer Christmas Promotions.
Krager grew up on a cattle ranch in New Raymer and wanted to stay connected to his roots in agriculture. At first he thought about doing something with camels, but ultimately decided it wasn’t a good fit. However, one of the camel operations he visited had a reindeer, so he started researching them and soon he was hooked.
He got his first reindeer from a zoo in Minnesota and through various connections he managed to get him to Colorado. Right now, Krager has two in his reindeer herd but the number has fluctuated over the years, at one point reaching as high as seven.
This is his 12th year operating his Reggie Reindeer Christmas Promotion business. Reggie and his pals make many appearances in the local area throughout the holiday season, visiting libraries and schools
and serving as one of the highlights of First FarmBank’s annual Hometown Christmas events in Sterling, Yuma and Greeley, which this year are set for Dec 2, 4 and 8, respectively They also travel all over the state, including to events along the Front Range and near Colorado Springs and they’ve even been to a Colorado Eagles game.
Reggie and his pals have 13 events scheduled on the calendar for this year so far, including a couple in Sterling.
Krager says raising reindeer is somewhat similar to raising cattle, however, they do eat a specially made pelted feed that has all the nutrients and minerals that they need. While they do keep busy traveling to various places during the holiday months, the rest of the year is pretty relaxing.
“They just kind of hang out most of the summer. I always tell people they are my pets for 10 months of the year and then in November and December they get to travel and see kids all over,” Krager said.
When he’s not busy traveling with Reggie and his pals, Krager works as a clerk in the Stoneham Post Office and also has a team of draft horses that he takes to weddings.
“I always joke that the Post Office is my real job and the reindeer
and horses are my hobby jobs,” Krager said.
In the over a decade that he’s been raising and breeding reindeer he’s learned a lot. It hasn’t been without its challenges though and there has been a lot of trial by error One of the biggest resources he’s leaned on is the Reindeer Farmers Association, an international organization similar to the American Quarter Horse Association, that is dedicated to the continued education and preservation of the reindeer industry. He previously
served as treasurer of the RFA and in its next term will serve as vice president.
“That’s been very beneficial to make those connections and meet people and get experience and advice there,” Krager said.
He has greatly enjoyed his time raising reindeer and bringing Reggie and his pals to various events to help celebrate the holiday season. Reggie is likely to be a holiday tradition for many years to come.
“It’s a lot of fun, it’s fun to see the kids’ smiles,” Krager said.
Children got an up close look at Reggie the Reindeer and his sidekick while waiting in line to see Santa at First FarmBank’s Hometown Christmas Tuesday, Dec 10, 2024, at the Logan County Fairgrounds. (Callie Jones/Journal-Advocate)
Wickham Tractor Company: Four generations of serving Northern Colorado agriculture
By Robin Northrup Fort Morgan Times
Wickham Tractor Company has been part of Colorado’s agricultural story for more than six decades. What started on Nov. 1, 1960 with J.E. Wickham and his sons Don and Homer has grown into one of Northern Colorado’s most trusted names in equipment, service, and community.
The Wickham family’s journey began when they purchased Asmus Tractor Company, a Ford and New Holland dealership with locations in Fort Morgan and Brush. As eastern Colorado farmers themselves, the Wickhams understood what it meant to rely on dependable equipment and their goal was simple: to help neighbors keep their opera-
tions running strong.
By 1979, the family had purchased the 13-acre site that still serves as WTC’s Fort Morgan headquarters. Back then, the dealership carried Case, New Holland, and Ford equipment. When Case and International Harvester merged in 1985, the business evolved by launching WTC Feeds with Purina and expanding into Steiger and Hesston equipment to meet local needs.
Homer’s son, Howard Wickham, officially joined ownership in the late 1980s after growing up in the business. In 1990, Case IH invited WTC to return as a dealer in Fort Morgan and Howard accepted. When Homer retired a few years later, Howard continued leading the company through new partnerships, steady growth, and a changing ag landscape.
Wickham Tractor Company has been part of Colorado’s agricultural story for more than six decades. What started on Nov 1, 1960 with J.E. Wickham and his sons Don and Homer has grown into one of Northern Colorado’s most trusted names in equipment, service, and community (Robin Northrup/Morgan County Times)
Wickham Tractor
The third generation, Jason and Brad Wickham, joined the business in the 1990s. In 1998, WTC expanded into Sterling with Jason managing the new location. Over the next decade, the company grew its product
lineup to include Case IH, Kubota, Polaris Off Road Vehicles, and Can Am Off Road Vehicles. These brands remain at the heart of Wickham Tractor Company today.
In 2014, Jason and Brad purchased the company from their father, becoming the third generation to carry the Wickham legacy forward. Four years later, WTC expanded again, acquir-
ing three more locations from B&G Equipment in Fort Collins, Longmont, and Greeley, extending the company’s reach across Northern Colorado.
Today, WTC is still proudly family owned and operated. Jason and Brad, both Colorado State University graduates, lead the business with the same hands on work ethic their family built it on. The fourth generation, Jason’s
son Lincoln and daughter Hallie now work alongside them, continuing the family’s commitment to customers, community, and Colorado agriculture.
