Members of the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame

Ernest Robb Bliss (1873-1938) of Greeley was a true pioneer and was the person upon whom James Michener based his “Potato Brumbaugh” character in the historical novel, Centennial. Bliss settled with his parents near Greeley in 1887. While attending the University of Colorado, Bliss played football, edited the college newspaper and was active in music, speaking and debate. He graduated with a bachelor’s of science in 1896.

In 1900, he contacted the agriculture college in Fort Collins and, working with the college, started forming small farm institutes around the state. The institutes helped develop the area’s agriculture by disseminating knowledge about farming and new production practices. Bliss was very interested in improving production and developed the Bliss Triumph and Russet potatoes as well as an early maturing variety of oats, known as Bliss Side Oats, that grew well at the high altitudes of Colorado’s mountain farms. Bliss was elected president of the State Board of Agriculture in 1923 and served in that capacity until shortly before his death in 1938.

Roger Bill Mitchell of Monte Vista is one of Colorado’s most visible agricultural leaders. As president of the Colorado Farm Bureau, Mitchell provides leadership for the organization’s 22,000+ members. Mitchell has been a tireless voice for agriculture, serving on many boards and commissions and constantly reaching out via media outlets to explain agriculture to the general public.

One of Mitchell’s most influential roles started when he was appointed to the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission by Governor Romer in 1991. Mitchell served two terms on the commission representing agriculture and diligently explaining how agricultural producers are naturally stewards of the land because of their vested interest in the protection of Colorado’s natural resources, including the quality of its water. In addition, Mitchell provides leadership nationally as a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors and serves in the same capacity with several affiliated organizations.

R.N. “Nate” Patton (1919-1998) of Cañon City was a cattle rancher and steadfast spokesperson for agriculture. Patton served in many different positions with the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and the National Cattlemen’s Association (now the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association). He was instrumental in developing an equitable tax assessment formula for farm and ranch lands through his service on the Property Tax Administrator Board of Assessment Appeals from 1971 through 1979 and again in 1984-85.

Patton’s influence reached far beyond Colorado with his service on the NCBA Tax and Finance Committee. He was instrumental in developing the AUM formula for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) grazing.

Dr. Jerry Bohlender (1940-2000) graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in veterinary medicine in 1965. Bohlender worked for the Leadbetter clinic for four years before starting the North Denver Animal Clinic, which he operated for 23 years. Dr. Bohlender became the assistant state veterinarian in 1988 and was the state veterinarian from 1994 to May 2000. He was active in research related to Vesicular Stomatitis and was instrumental in containing the disease in the state. Bohlender was recognized nationally for his work in the livestock industry.

As state veterinarian, Dr. Bohlender worked closely with the livestock industry and veterinary medical organizations, as well as federal, state and local agencies, to protect the health, welfare and marketability of Colorado livestock. Tough decisions were Jerry’s hallmark. He worked long hours and tough days to make sure that his statutory duties were fully met and that those without a voice—the animals in his care—were afforded their due. livestock industry mourned the loss of Dr. Bohlender April 30, 2000, when he died in a tragic car accident in Clear Creek County.

James P. “Tom” Camerlo of Florence has dedicated his life to agriculture. Camerlo earned a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in agriculture. Following college, he served his country for 6 1/2 years with the 101st Airborne as a senior parachutist, receiving his honorable discharge as a captain before returning to the dairy in Florence.

As a dairyman, Camerlo has made invaluable contributions to the industry. In addition to having a voice on many committees and advisory boards, Camerlo is vice chairman of Dairy Farmers of America, the world’s largest dairy cooperative, and chairman of DFA Mountain Area Council, elected by his constituents in southern Colorado. Camerlo has served as president of the National Milk Producers’ Federation, based in Washington, D.C. He impacts national policy through membership on the board of the U.S. Dairy Export Council and holds appointments to the National Commission on Dairy Policy; A-PAC (a private sector trade advisory committee to the U.S. Trade Office); and was appointed to ACTPIN (Presidential Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiations) by President Bush and then by President Clinton.

Arven Vondy of Woodrow has dedicated his life to the agricultural industry in Colorado. The farming and ranching enterprise remains a family unit. The Herefords have been replaced with Gelbvieh and Gelbvieh/Angus crosses and Vondy’s crops continue to benefit from his willingness to try new ideas.

Vondy has been an early adopter of innovative management practices, planting test plots for a nationally known seed company and planting dryland corn long before it was an accepted practice in his area. Vondy was also the first producer in Woodrow and the surrounding area to plant no-till corn, which is now a very common crop and practice.

Marshall Frasier (19??-2008) of Woodrow has worked tirelessly to support Colorado’s livestock industry. Known affectionately as the “quiet giant,” Frasier is a man of few words and many accomplishments. Frasier served 10 years on the Colorado Beef Council and 10 years on the National Live Stock and Meat Board, where he was the first chairman of the retail meat committee. He also served two years as Region V vice president of the National Cattlemen’s Association executive board from 1983-85.

Frasier holds the distinction of being the only person to have served as president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (1981) and as president of the Colorado Livestock Association (2000).

Dr. Kirvin Knox has demonstrated leadership and excellence in education, research and outreach for agriculture in positions with four universities, one international assignment and consultant roles in three foreign countries.

Knox made his mark on Colorado agriculture as the vice provost for agriculture and university outreach and dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University. Knox opened lines of communication between the agricultural industry and the state’s land grant university. During his tenure, Knox worked diligently to increase collaboration between the university and other entities, including the state Department of Agriculture and the Colorado Farm Bureau.

Thomas Keith Propst (1926-2003) of Merino played an active leadership role in Colorado agriculture for more than 50 years. He joined the Logan County Farm Bureau in 1950, serving as secretary and president locally, then on the Colorado state board of directors and as vice president of the state organization before being elected president in 1974.

Propst also served as president of the Colorado Farm Bureau Insurance Company and on the board of directors for the Western Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company. His service continued on the national level. As a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation, he represented agriculture on trade missions to Europe and the Pacific Rim.

At home on the plains of Eastern Colorado, Propst was an instrumental force in the South Platte Ditch Company, Mountain States Beet Growers and was one of the founding members of the Great Western Beef Expo.

Helen Budin of Sterling has worked tirelessly to support and promote the beef industry. Budin was instrumental in establishing the Northeastern Colorado Cattlewomen’s Organization (initially called the CowBelles), and served as state president in 1974. As part of her service in that organization, Budin started the National Beef Cook-Off, an event that has grown from humble beginnings to a multi-million dollar annual event. She continued her work with the event until all 50 states participated.

Merle “Dutch” Carwin (1940-2002) of Eaton taught agriculture at the high school level for 37 years and impacted close to 4,000 students. Carwin took great pride in his students, believing every student could achieve if given the proper guidance and instruction.

As part of his master’s degree work at Colorado State University, Carwin authored the “Supervised Occupational Experience Manual,” which was a standard tool used in agriculture classrooms across the country.

Dr. John Thimmig (1916-2003) of Brighton made his mark on Colorado agriculture as a veterinarian. Thimmig was committed to healing the animals in his care. His nurturing, however, did not stop at the farm gate. Dr. Thimmig has been a long-time community leader, serving as president of the Fulton Ditch Company, District 27J School Board and as a board member for Brighton Federal Savings and Loan.

Dr. Thimmig’s influence has reached far beyond the community of Brighton. He served on the State Board of Agriculture for eight years, six of them as president. Thimmig also served eight years as the Colorado State University Foundation president and as president of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association.