ROCK SPRINGS –This year, the Sweetwater County Fair – Wyoming’s Big Show – is happy to announce the winner of the Farm Family Today award. This brand new initiative recognizes farm and ranch life, promotes outstanding farmer qualities, and strengthens the relationship between an urban fair goer and the agriculturalists who have made fairs a fantastic family tradition.
The winner of this year’s award is the Thoman family, a family who has been ranching in Fontenelle for 70+ years. Showing the true spirit of ranching, they raise sheep, cattle, and Quarter horses. It is however, not what they are raising that has brought this recognition, but how they go about doing their work that has done the trick. Their active nature in the community has won attention from neighbors as well as from organizations stretching further than their direct area.
Such attention includes, but is not limited to, the acceptance of the Bureau of Land Management Director’s 4Cs Award for consultation cooperation, communication, all in the service of conservation. In addition to this, in 2012 the family received a partnership Appreciation Award from WLCI (Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative). Not only is the family publicly recognized, but they also help the local economy by opening up jobs, buying supplies locally, and providing beef lamb and wool.
In addition to being full of hard workers, the family has also played an active part in the community outside of their ranch as well. Participating in the county fair for over 60 years, the entire family has also been involved in 4-H as members and leaders, with Mickey boasting over a half a century of service. Kristy shows the start of a similar track record with many years of service as well. Laurie brings another layer to the family as Executive Vice President of Miss Rodeo America, Inc. and National Director for Miss Rodeo Wyoming
The community has been influenced by the Thoman Ranch School since 1957 which has helped to educate children on the ranch life and instill needed values in the home and in the environment. True to these values, Mickey is a Guardian of the Grasslands member and past delegate and charter member of the Wyoming Farm Bureau. She remains a Lincoln and Sweetwater County Farm Bureau member. Mickey was nominated as a “Woman of Legacy” and Mary received the 1st annual “Woman of Distinction Award” from the YWCA in 2012.
The family has been involved in many other organizations as well; these include the American quarter Horse Association, the national Cattleman’s Beef Association, the Wyoming Cattlewomen, the American Sheep Industry, and the American Rambouillent Sheep Breeders Association. The family is also a long-time member of the Wyoming Woolgrower’s Association as well as the Wyoming Stock Growers and Farm Bureau.
Those who nominated the family had many great things to say about the Thomans such as, “they are very community and very family oriented.” They are also seen as role models, mentors, and leaders. Battling the elements as well as misfortune, the family has grown to be great. Mickey says, “The secret to raising kids is to work with them and do things together.” This sentence remains true to the family’s rancher attitude and has helped carry them through the years.
Mary Thoman spoke out on the influence of her parents, “We were fortunate to have parents who made us a part of their daily lives and work. We learned to appreciate hard work, respect each other, and love what we do!” This was all a part of why this family received this award.
Fair officials are encouraging a positive relationship between the urban fairgoer and the agriculturalists who have made fairs a modern tradition for so many people. “The Fair is the best place to reach out and teach people about modern farm practices,” said Lloyd. “With dwindling education budgets and teachers having little time to explore farm and ranch life, we feel it is our duty to educate the public and it’s a part of our mission.”
The Sweetwater County Fair attracts approximately 75,000 people each year. Lloyd said the Fair is the prime opportunity for patrons to learn about their farm family neighbors. “Our Fair has a large agricultural component, but sometimes that message is lost in the mix of carnival, food and entertainment.” Lloyd added that the Fair is a natural place for kids to learn about the relationship between production agriculture and the bounty of food on the Midway. “Food and animals are some of the top two reasons people attend the Fair,” he said.
Wyoming’s Big Show® will be held July 25 through August 4 at the Sweetwater Events Complex in Rock Springs, WY. For more information contact the Sweetwater Events Complex at (307) 352-6789 ext. 100 or visit the website at www.SweetwaterEvents.com.
