Harvest Moon Ball set for Saturday

The Ag Citizen of the Year and Rising Star award winner will be announced at the Harvest Moon Ball Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Hot Springs County Fair Building. The ball will feature a dinner and dance beginning at 6 p.m.

The Century Award will be presented to the Shumway/Ready families. The Shumway/Ready families originate back to 1908 when Edith (Ready) Shumway’s father Jesse Ready and his brother Abe settled on Owl Creek in 1908. Leonard and Edith Shumway settled on Mud Creek in 1938.

The following are the nominees for Ag Citizen of the Year:

Chip Axtell

Axtell is a fourth-generation rancher. He runs a cow/calf operation, heifer breeding program and raises hay for the livestock, with his wife, Jennifer, and four children. In addition to his ranch responsibilities, he’s been on the Weed and Pest Board for 5 years, serves on the Kirby Ditch Board, coaches recreation football in the fall, and leads the Catholic Youth Organization for his church. Being involved in the community and his children’s lives is very important to Axtell. “I was never involved in 4-H or FFA when I was young and that’s probably why I’m so involved with my kids in their 4-H projects. It’s such a worthwhile program and they have learned so much,” Axtell says. He also served as an area representative in the Wyoming Stockgrowers Association and is a member of the Farm Bureau.

In Axtell’s line of work, time is always an issue, and he always seems to find the time to be where he is needed. Ranching is a 24/7 job with no sick days, but there are perks that make it worth it. His job allows him to work with his family, teaching his children the value of hard work and perseverance. Working together to get the job done makes a strong family and a bright future for his children.

Ray Shaffer

Shaffer was born, raised and educated in Hot Springs County, and has been active in both 4-H and FFA, serving as president of both organizations. Except for 10 years working in the uranium and petroleum industries, Shaffer has lived on a farm or ranch. For the last 33 years, he and his wife Carol have owned and operated the North 40 Ranch on Owl Creek north of Thermopolis. They ran a livestock operation for several years, but are currently farming – raising hay and small grains. Shaffer retired two years ago after serving as Hot Springs County Road and Bridge Department supervisor.

For over 20 years, Shaffer has been a Farm Bureau member, serving as vice president, president and membership chair, and winning numerous awards. He is currently involved with the Hot Springs County Historical Society and has also been a member of the Wyoming State Historical Society, the Hot Springs County Pioneer Association and National Rifle Association. Shaffer spearheaded the formation of the Natural Resource Planning Committee for state and federal lands, and has served on its board since its inception. He also helped organize the first chapter of Farm Bureau Young Farmers/Ranchers in Wyoming.

Since his retirement he hasn’t slowed down, in fact, he is more involved in the community than ever. He serves on the H Diamond W Board and has been instrumental in raising funds to make several improvements at the youth camp. Ray is now involved with the HSC Hall of Fame and trying to make sure that Ag is a part of that history. He wants Famers and ranchers to be recognized for their hard work and contributions to the county. Ray has been “about Ag” all his life and wants to educate the younger generations and try to get them to step up and take over the agricultural reins in our community.

Bobbi Zupan

Bobbi Zupan was born in Casper, Wyo. and grew up In Thermopolis. She moved to Tennessee for a period of time and moved back to Thermopolis 8 years ago. Zupan has always had an interest in agriculture and lives on 35 acres where she raises and trains horses, has a small herd of cattle, and raises hay.

Zupan works for the Thermopolis Police Dept. She has volunteered with 4-H off and on for several years. She also provides horse riding lessons. Two years ago she spearheaded the idea to start a summer & winter barrel racing series. The series is attended by many, from peewees to seniors, from all over Northwest Wyoming. She is also instrumental in bringing the Connie Combs Barrel Racing Clinics to Thermopolis.

Zupan is involved in several organizations in some way. These include, Wyoming National Barrel Horse Assoc. District 3 Director, Hot Springs County Barrel Racing Director, 4-H, FFA, Woman’s Professional Rodeo Assoc., Chamber Of Commerce member, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasants Forever, and American Quarter Horse Assoc.

Cindy Denton

Cindy Denton and her husband Dave moved to Thermopolis in 1987 from California. The couple purchased the local feed store in 1997. They put their heart and soul into the store, expanding it and partnering with Purina to have the store we now know as White Horse Country Store. Through the store, Denton’s have provided feed, supplies and vaccines for area ranchers as well as setting up education seminars. They also host a show feed education meeting for youth that have livestock projects at the county fair.

Denton has been the 4-H leather craft project leader for several years and has also helped with horse project in the past. A strong supporter of the 4-H and FFA she is always willing to help. She has made quite a name for herself in doing her leather work, she has items for sale in the store plus has done custom orders. Every year she makes a pair of chinks for the Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous. Denton has been known to help area ranchers ride, brand and work with their livestock. Through her volunteer work, involvement in her church and co-ownership of White Horse Country Store she has made quite an impact on our community.

Denton says she is humbled by the nomination but respectfully declines from the voting.

The following are the nominees for Rising Star:

Justin Reed

In 2012 Justin Reed purchased 250 head of bred cows and is currently operating Reed Ranch. At age 13, Reed, along with his brother and sister, helped their mom run the ranch after their father Clinton Reed passed away in 1999. After Reed graduated high school he attended Casper College and received his welding degree. He then went to Colorado and worked there using his skills he obtained for several years and that is where he met his future wife, Paige. While Reed was attending college and working in Colorado, Linda sold the cows and leased the ranch to area ranchers. Reed returned to Thermopolis and the ranch was still under a lease. He worked in the area until the lease was up and then in 2012 purchased his own cattle.

Reed married Paige McMahill in 2014 and they have setup a residence on the Henderson place of Reed Ranch. He is a good steward to the land and his cattle. He helps other area ranchers and neighbors with their projects and with their cattle. He recently rebuilt the corrals on the mountain property according to plans his dad had drafted prior to his passing. His future plans include to upgrade the ranch facilities and follow in his father’s legacy.

Brian Johnson

Brian Johnson is a small agricultural business operator near Owl Creek. His family moved to Wyoming when he was eight years old and purchased an 80-acre homestead. Over the next few years, he helped his father build their family home and learned the basics of taking care of the land and animals they raised.

He left Thermopolis in 1996 after graduating high school to attend the University of Wyoming. After graduating, Johnson married Betsy Lewis. In 2014, when he was called to become the pastor of the Risen Son Southern Baptist Church. He moved his family, now consisting of five young children, back to Thermopolis and into the house he helped his dad build.

Johnson has been very active in many different areas of our community, both agriculturally and otherwise. Aside from the many responsibilities that accompany a pastor, he has served on the Owl Creek Water District Board since mid 2014, beginning in the midst of a large expansion of the rural water customers. He has also taken over managing his father’s business, property and building on the south end of town, even turning one of the empty shop bays into a free “garage gym” and weight room for anyone in the community who would like to use it. In addition to these different hats, he is still taking care of his home property and trying to increase its production. At the moment, he harvests 70 acres of grass and oat hay, hoping to next year plant part of it in alfalfa to produce a higher quality feed. Johnson is in the beginning of a pig operation, currently updating the pens to accommodate a handful of bred sows and their litters of feeder and show pigs after the New Year.

Jake Agar

Jake grew up in Huntington , Ore. where is family raised commercial Red Angus and purebred Hereford cattle. In the late 90s the family began raising their own horses to use on the ranch. They were looking for a horse that could withstand being used heavily in the steep lava rock country of eastern Oregon. Not long after beginning to raise their own horses the Agar family found there was a demand for the kind of horse they were raising from other ranchers in the area.

In 2008 the family was able to expand their operation by moving to Thermopolis. Upon moving to Wyoming, Agar and his family have been blessed with many new opportunities in the horse business. They included started ranch horses in their annual bull sale last year and will continue to do so. Because the horses excel on the ranch there is also a demand for them as performance horses as well. Agar feels that a ranch horse with a solid foundation is the ticket to having a winning performance horse. Durbin Creek Ranch’s horses can be seen at the Wyoming District 3 NBHA barrel races and the winter team branding series that are both held in Thermopolis and they also hope to start holding team roping jackpots as well.

Darcy Axtell

Darcy Axtell grew up in Thermopolis, on the family cattle ranch. She left the area for several years and returned to Thermopolis four years ago. “When I came back to Thermopolis, it dawned on me that I could use the hot springs as a heat source,” Axtell said. She’s always been interested in sustainable agriculture and growing vegetables year around.

After meeting a couple whose property has hot springs on it, Axtell’s business, Hot Springs Local Products, was started. Last winter she built a hoop house on the property that utilizes heat transfer from the hot springs to maintain a consistent temperature. The hoop house contains growing beds for lettuce and winter vegetables, as well as fish tanks where she raises tilapia and prawns. The tilapia and prawns are in one large tank with barriers to separate them. The water from the tank pumps through the growing beds for the lettuce and winter vegetables, like tomatoes. Axtell grows the fish until they are large enough to consume and then sells them to a local grocery store and area restaurants.

She currently delivers once a month, but is working on to develop her breeding program to be able to deliver every two weeks. Axtell has been selling her lettuce and spring mix to the organic food store in town but says she can also do individual sales. She notes that she is licensed to be able to sell vegetables and raise the fish.

She also serves as the clerk and water monitor for the Hot Springs Conservation District.

Dinner will feature a beef brisket and pork loin menu with sides. Live music will be provided by the Sundowner Band. Tickets to the Harvest Moon Ball are $10 for an adult, $15 for a couple, $6 for kids 4-12, with three and under free.

Guest speaker will be Ashlee Lundvall of Cody. She is a motivational speaker who shares her inspiring story of overcoming adversity in her life. Lundvall was paralyzed in a ranching accident in 1999.

Advance tickets to the Harvest Moon Ball may be purchased at Storyteller, White Horse Country Store, from Thermopolis FFA Alumni Association members or by contacting FFA advisor Britton Van Heule at 864-6501 or 921-9044. Tickets will also be sold at the door. You must attend the dinner in order to be admitted to the dance.

by Lara Love

The Ag Citizen of the Year and Rising Star award winner will be announced at the Harvest Moon Ball Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Hot Springs County Fair Building. The ball will feature a dinner and dance beginning at 6 p.m.

The Century Award will be presented to the Shumway/Ready families. The Shumway/Ready families originate back to 1908 when Edith (Ready) Shumway’s father Jesse Ready and his brother Abe settled on Owl Creek in 1908. Leonard and Edith Shumway settled on Mud Creek in 1938.

The following are the nominees for Ag Citizen of the Year:

Chip Axtell

Axtell is a fourth-generation rancher. He runs a cow/calf operation, heifer breeding program and raises hay for the livestock, with his wife, Jennifer, and four children. In addition to his ranch responsibilities, he’s been on the Weed and Pest Board for 5 years, serves on the Kirby Ditch Board, coaches recreation football in the fall, and leads the Catholic Youth Organization for his church. Being involved in the community and his children’s lives is very important to Axtell. “I was never involved in 4-H or FFA when I was young and that’s probably why I’m so involved with my kids in their 4-H projects. It’s such a worthwhile program and they have learned so much,” Axtell says. He also served as an area representative in the Wyoming Stockgrowers Association and is a member of the Farm Bureau.

In Axtell’s line of work, time is always an issue, and he always seems to find the time to be where he is needed. Ranching is a 24/7 job with no sick days, but there are perks that make it worth it. His job allows him to work with his family, teaching his children the value of hard work and perseverance. Working together to get the job done makes a strong family and a bright future for his children.

Ray Shaffer

Shaffer was born, raised and educated in Hot Springs County, and has been active in both 4-H and FFA, serving as president of both organizations. Except for 10 years working in the uranium and petroleum industries, Shaffer has lived on a farm or ranch. For the last 33 years, he and his wife Carol have owned and operated the North 40 Ranch on Owl Creek north of Thermopolis. They ran a livestock operation for several years, but are currently farming – raising hay and small grains. Shaffer retired two years ago after serving as Hot Springs County Road and Bridge Department supervisor.

For over 20 years, Shaffer has been a Farm Bureau member, serving as vice president, president and membership chair, and winning numerous awards. He is currently involved with the Hot Springs County Historical Society and has also been a member of the Wyoming State Historical Society, the Hot Springs County Pioneer Association and National Rifle Association. Shaffer spearheaded the formation of the Natural Resource Planning Committee for state and federal lands, and has served on its board since its inception. He also helped organize the first chapter of Farm Bureau Young Farmers/Ranchers in Wyoming.

Since his retirement he hasn’t slowed down, in fact, he is more involved in the community than ever. He serves on the H Diamond W Board and has been instrumental in raising funds to make several improvements at the youth camp. Ray is now involved with the HSC Hall of Fame and trying to make sure that Ag is a part of that history. He wants Famers and ranchers to be recognized for their hard work and contributions to the county. Ray has been “about Ag” all his life and wants to educate the younger generations and try to get them to step up and take over the agricultural reins in our community.

Bobbi Zupan

Bobbi Zupan was born in Casper, Wyo. and grew up In Thermopolis. She moved to Tennessee for a period of time and moved back to Thermopolis 8 years ago. Zupan has always had an interest in agriculture and lives on 35 acres where she raises and trains horses, has a small herd of cattle, and raises hay.

Zupan works for the Thermopolis Police Dept. She has volunteered with 4-H off and on for several years. She also provides horse riding lessons. Two years ago she spearheaded the idea to start a summer & winter barrel racing series. The series is attended by many, from peewees to seniors, from all over Northwest Wyoming. She is also instrumental in bringing the Connie Combs Barrel Racing Clinics to Thermopolis.

Zupan is involved in several organizations in some way. These include, Wyoming National Barrel Horse Assoc. District 3 Director, Hot Springs County Barrel Racing Director, 4-H, FFA, Woman’s Professional Rodeo Assoc., Chamber Of Commerce member, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasants Forever, and American Quarter Horse Assoc.

Cindy Denton

Cindy Denton and her husband Dave moved to Thermopolis in 1987 from California. The couple purchased the local feed store in 1997. They put their heart and soul into the store, expanding it and partnering with Purina to have the store we now know as White Horse Country Store. Through the store, Denton’s have provided feed, supplies and vaccines for area ranchers as well as setting up education seminars. They also host a show feed education meeting for youth that have livestock projects at the county fair.

Denton has been the 4-H leather craft project leader for several years and has also helped with horse project in the past. A strong supporter of the 4-H and FFA she is always willing to help. She has made quite a name for herself in doing her leather work, she has items for sale in the store plus has done custom orders. Every year she makes a pair of chinks for the Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous. Denton has been known to help area ranchers ride, brand and work with their livestock. Through her volunteer work, involvement in her church and co-ownership of White Horse Country Store she has made quite an impact on our community.

Denton says she is humbled by the nomination but respectfully declines from the voting.

The following are the nominees for Rising Star:

Justin Reed

In 2012 Justin Reed purchased 250 head of bred cows and is currently operating Reed Ranch. At age 13, Reed, along with his brother and sister, helped their mom run the ranch after their father Clinton Reed passed away in 1999. After Reed graduated high school he attended Casper College and received his welding degree. He then went to Colorado and worked there using his skills he obtained for several years and that is where he met his future wife, Paige. While Reed was attending college and working in Colorado, Linda sold the cows and leased the ranch to area ranchers. Reed returned to Thermopolis and the ranch was still under a lease. He worked in the area until the lease was up and then in 2012 purchased his own cattle.

Reed married Paige McMahill in 2014 and they have setup a residence on the Henderson place of Reed Ranch. He is a good steward to the land and his cattle. He helps other area ranchers and neighbors with their projects and with their cattle. He recently rebuilt the corrals on the mountain property according to plans his dad had drafted prior to his passing. His future plans include to upgrade the ranch facilities and follow in his father’s legacy.

Brian Johnson

Brian Johnson is a small agricultural business operator near Owl Creek. His family moved to Wyoming when he was eight years old and purchased an 80-acre homestead. Over the next few years, he helped his father build their family home and learned the basics of taking care of the land and animals they raised.

He left Thermopolis in 1996 after graduating high school to attend the University of Wyoming. After graduating, Johnson married Betsy Lewis. In 2014, when he was called to become the pastor of the Risen Son Southern Baptist Church. He moved his family, now consisting of five young children, back to Thermopolis and into the house he helped his dad build.

Johnson has been very active in many different areas of our community, both agriculturally and otherwise. Aside from the many responsibilities that accompany a pastor, he has served on the Owl Creek Water District Board since mid 2014, beginning in the midst of a large expansion of the rural water customers. He has also taken over managing his father’s business, property and building on the south end of town, even turning one of the empty shop bays into a free “garage gym” and weight room for anyone in the community who would like to use it. In addition to these different hats, he is still taking care of his home property and trying to increase its production. At the moment, he harvests 70 acres of grass and oat hay, hoping to next year plant part of it in alfalfa to produce a higher quality feed. Johnson is in the beginning of a pig operation, currently updating the pens to accommodate a handful of bred sows and their litters of feeder and show pigs after the New Year.

Jake Agar

Jake grew up in Huntington , Ore. where is family raised commercial Red Angus and purebred Hereford cattle. In the late 90s the family began raising their own horses to use on the ranch. They were looking for a horse that could withstand being used heavily in the steep lava rock country of eastern Oregon. Not long after beginning to raise their own horses the Agar family found there was a demand for the kind of horse they were raising from other ranchers in the area.

In 2008 the family was able to expand their operation by moving to Thermopolis. Upon moving to Wyoming, Agar and his family have been blessed with many new opportunities in the horse business. They included started ranch horses in their annual bull sale last year and will continue to do so. Because the horses excel on the ranch there is also a demand for them as performance horses as well. Agar feels that a ranch horse with a solid foundation is the ticket to having a winning performance horse. Durbin Creek Ranch’s horses can be seen at the Wyoming District 3 NBHA barrel races and the winter team branding series that are both held in Thermopolis and they also hope to start holding team roping jackpots as well.

Darcy Axtell

Darcy Axtell grew up in Thermopolis, on the family cattle ranch. She left the area for several years and returned to Thermopolis four years ago. “When I came back to Thermopolis, it dawned on me that I could use the hot springs as a heat source,” Axtell said. She’s always been interested in sustainable agriculture and growing vegetables year around.

After meeting a couple whose property has hot springs on it, Axtell’s business, Hot Springs Local Products, was started. Last winter she built a hoop house on the property that utilizes heat transfer from the hot springs to maintain a consistent temperature. The hoop house contains growing beds for lettuce and winter vegetables, as well as fish tanks where she raises tilapia and prawns. The tilapia and prawns are in one large tank with barriers to separate them. The water from the tank pumps through the growing beds for the lettuce and winter vegetables, like tomatoes. Axtell grows the fish until they are large enough to consume and then sells them to a local grocery store and area restaurants.

She currently delivers once a month, but is working on to develop her breeding program to be able to deliver every two weeks. Axtell has been selling her lettuce and spring mix to the organic food store in town but says she can also do individual sales. She notes that she is licensed to be able to sell vegetables and raise the fish.

She also serves as the clerk and water monitor for the Hot Springs Conservation District.

Dinner will feature a beef brisket and pork loin menu with sides. Live music will be provided by the Sundowner Band. Tickets to the Harvest Moon Ball are $10 for an adult, $15 for a couple, $6 for kids 4-12, with three and under free.

Guest speaker will be Ashlee Lundvall of Cody. She is a motivational speaker who shares her inspiring story of overcoming adversity in her life. Lundvall was paralyzed in a ranching accident in 1999.

Advance tickets to the Harvest Moon Ball may be purchased at Storyteller, White Horse Country Store, from Thermopolis FFA Alumni Association members or by contacting FFA advisor Britton Van Heule at 864-6501 or 921-9044. Tickets will also be sold at the door. You must attend the dinner in order to be admitted to the dance.