Carlson Farms - A Century-Old Legacy

 This story is about a legacy steeped in rich agricultural history, and one that I personally hold close to my heart. In Johnstown CO, Carlson Farms is over one-hundred years old. From a modest homestead, small dairy operation, to a premier horse-breeding program, and now a custom hay and livestock business, Carlson Farms though it has changed, has always been a long-lived legacy of agricultural excellence. I’m lucky enough that I don’t need a scheduled tour to visit this little slice of heaven off Highway 60 - my mom and my stepdad, Mary and Cameron Carlson currently own and operate the farm. A nice perk? The farm fresh eggs are free :)

   There’s a whole lotta history here so buckle up! Johnstown was founded in the late 1800s as a homestead and agriculture community, driven by the potential for growing crops. Sugar beets in particular were a large part of the agriculture boom in the area, correlating with the building of the Great Western Sugar Company plant located between Johnstown and Milliken. This plant was actually the only of its kind in the world at the time, making it a famous plant - it was designed to extract sugar from 100 tons of beets per day. At this time what would become Carlson Farms was owned and operated by the Anderson family, immigrants from Sweden who saw the agriculture boom and said count me in!, especially after a failed attempt at gold mining in Leadville. For decades as the area grew and changed, the family continued farming - passing the mantle from generation to generation. 

  Over the following years, a lot of changes would take place on the farm. A feature I MUST mention is the barn check out in my photos! It was built in 1913, and is an absolute pillar of agricultural history. It served as a milking barn for the 12 Guernsey cows while the farm was a dairy, was home to premier horses during Cameron’s grandfather’s time, and now houses my moms chicken business :). Cameron’s grandfather, Melvin Carlson, grew up on the farm as a kid, working, and even showing Grand Champion cattle. In particular, Melvin showed “Bashful,” a hereford steer from the farm that won big at the National Western Stock Show in 1947 in addition to another Reserve Champion, “Dopey” the same year. This was even more significant than just the wins, because in 1946 when Melvin was just 20 years old, he bought a load of cattle containing the award winners, and paid a world record price, even garnering hate mail from local producers for affecting the market. The following year, when “Bashful” and “Dopey” won, he then sold them for another world record price. He would later purchase the farm from his grandfather in the 1949 when he was 21, dubbing it “Carlson Farms.” Melvin went on to raise more cattle, and then eventually got into breeding/showing horses. Notably, the Carlson Quarter Horse lines can be traced back to “Two-Eyed Jack,” who according to a little research, was a BIG deal - like seven grand-champion titles kind of big deal. This is what the farm looked like when Cameron came into the picture as a kid helping his grandfather. 

  Cameron would spend his childhood on the farm, and as Melvin got older, he would do more and more. Melvin passed away in 2006 doing what he loved - feeding the horses. Cameron bought the farm, also when he was 21, and continued the legacy bringing us to today. Now, you can ask anyone who has done business with Cameron or Mary and they will tell you - great products, great people I’m a little biased but it’s still true! Cameron and Mary bring excellence and variety to the hay market, offering options like straw, quality alfalfa, grass hay and more in any size that suits your operation. 

  I can’t forget to mention the chickens, my mom specializes in raising unique and beautiful birds from chick to pullet. You know the ones that have wild hair-dos? Those are the ladies she raises, and they produce the prettiest eggs - rich browns, baby blue or olive greens. She also offers farm fresh eggs from her own flock, from which I greatly benefit :). Cameron and Mary also have a small registered angus herd, focusing on raising quality animals from their cow-calf pairs. 

  I wonder what Cameron’s ancestors, the original homesteaders would say if they could see the farm now. It would look different for sure, but I’m pretty sure they would think it’s really awesome. I know I do. It’s been incredible to be a part of this farm’s history, and to have the chance to tell its story now. When I asked my mom what her favorite part of it all was, she was clear - “We love our customers. The folks that come for hay, or eggs or chickens, who bring their littles to see the animals, we love that. We’re building a community here. They keep coming back every year for more, and I can’t wait to greet them.”