Local Heritage Farm/Ranch Recognition

Seufer Family

The Seufer Farm in Prowers County is being honored as a Colorado Centennial Farm this year. Since 1986, the Centennial Farms & Ranches program has honored families working the same property for 100 years or more. Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie) DeBus was born in 1888 in Geddes, South Dakota and moved with her family to Prowers County, Colorado in 1901. After watching her older brother Vincent homestead south of Holly, Lizzie proceeded to do just the same in 1914. Her father William helped her improve the acreage by building a dwelling and relatives were hired to plow and cultivate 40 acres to grow crops. Lizzie was granted her homestead deed in 1919. She also owned and ran the Holly Millinery Shop but sold it in 1923 and married Primo Borelli. Lizzie’s niece and husband, Dorothy and Jewell Seufer began farming and grazing cattle during the year of 1987, growing wheat, grain sorghum and millet. Today, the farm is still in its original 320 acres and Dorothy’s son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Denice grow wheat, grain sorghum and graze cattle on the grassland. The members of the Colorado Senate State Senate are proud to recognize the Seufer Farm as a Colorado Centennial Farm.

The Centennial Farm Award was presented to two local farming operations in southeast Colorado at the Colorado State Fair this past Friday, August 23^rd.

Wertz Family

Brent Wertz Farms in Bent County is being honored as a Colorado Centennial Farm this year. Since 1986, the Centennial Farms & Ranches program has honored families working the same property for 100 years or more. Joseph Lee Wertz moved from Kansas to McClave, Colorado in 1919 then purchased the family farm. On it, he proceeded to cultivate milo, alfalfa, sugar beets, wheat, corn and cattle on roughly 150 acres. The family donated land in 1933 to establish the Dunkard Brethren Church on a corner of their land. The farm was passed down through cousins and eventually to W. Brent Wertz, the current owner. The members of the Colorado Senate State Senate are proud to recognize Brent Wertz Farms as a Colorado Centennial Farm.

A communication from State Senator Larry Crowder’s office from Senate District 35, noted the award presentation to the Wertz and Seufer farming operations. The award is presented to a person or family who have owned and operated the same farm for at least one hundred years.

The email states, these families have contributed a great deal to Colorado communities and hour heritage. “Congratulations to all and thanks for your diligence and contribution to the people of this state.”