Golden Harvest Seeds, represented by Bill Markham (far right) was pleased to help honor Doug Dietz (center) and his wife Erin, when Doug was selected as the Outstanding Colorado Young Farmer-Northeastern Region in 2008.

Dietz named Outstanding Northeastern Region

Colorado Young Farmer

Perhaps one of the greatest thrills a farmer will ever get is to be able to not only order a brand new tractor, but to be able to go to the factory and actually watch it being built. As a firm believer in using the latest technology to make his farm as efficient and trouble free as it can be, Doug Dietz of Cope, CO grins big when he remembers that day in 2004 when he was in Waterloo, Iowa at the John Deere plant taking part in a gold key tour and watching his own tractor move down the assembly line.

Dietz is excited about farming. His enthusiasm for the work he does is responsible in part, for his being named the Outstanding Colorado Young Farmer from the Northeastern Region of the state. The award is presented to a producer who shows exceptional innovation and expertise in his or her operation including the record keeping system in place and the community and leadership activities involved in.

Dietz is a member of the Arickaree Young Farmer Chapter. He and his wife, Erin, and their children operate the farm as a family affair. Everyone helps with all aspects of the farm which raises primarily alfalfa and corn on seven circles of irrigated land and one quarter of dryland. With the exception of hiring out the swathing and baling and an occasional truck driver to haul crops where they need to go, all of the work is done by the family.

Dietz started his present agricultural operation through his wife’s family. After he and Erin were married, he was laid off from a railroad job and her father offered to put him to work. He and his wife were able to purchase some of her family’s land and the couple acquired five additional quarters of dryland from Dietz’ father and uncle. “When I first started out, I was given a lot of guidance from my father and father-in-law,” Dietz says appreciatively. Every thing in those early stages was based around conventional farming, really working the land. Since then, Dietz has moved to some more modern processes, including low minimum tillage.

Over the years, he has added five more quarters of irrigated land. He continues to work with family members and together, they plant approximately 25 circles of corn, beans and or sunflowers and drill some wheat in the dryland quarters. All of the planting is done using GPS, mapping and auto steering the fields for better efficiency.

“I love living and raising my family in a rural environment,” Dietz admits. “I plan to continue to upgrade equipment and the future advancements of technology as they become available.” A user of GPS to map his fields for yields, water usage and spraying purposes, he constantly faces challenges. However, Dietz seems to thrive best in this environment. “The growing concern of water shortage has forced me to take all end guns off sprinklers and join the Y-W well testing program,” he notes. “In their program, I use their gypsum blocks to measure my water usage.”

All work and no play would make Dietz a dull boy, so he does his share of Young Farmer activities and community service.

He’s been a Young Farmer for the past five years. He’s held office four of these. He’s volunteered his time at the state level on several occasions, attending state institutes and supporting the state-wide scholarship tractor auction. In addition, Dietz has been a major supporter and volunteer for the Arickaree Young Farmers Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament and the design and decorating of a chapter float for the annual Washington County Fair parade.  He helps the Arickaree FFA chapter in a number of ways and is very involved in the Liberty FFA chapter, too.  From buying members during their annual auctions to being a poker dealer at their fun nights, or donating a half pig for a special FFA luncheon, this farmer who is also a mentor is always responsive to the call for help.   

Although he loves new technology, Dietz also appreciates history. In 2004 he purchased a 1956 Gleaner A combine and joined seven other Young Farmers in an old-time harvest crew. For one day of fun and entertainment for his rural community, the men harvested wheat the old fashioned way.

Dietz is a volunteer member of both the Cope Volunteer Fire Department and the Kirk Volunteer Fire Department where he is involved in training activities as well as other community events and services.  He coaches and referees youth ball games and is involved in three different local golf and basketball leagues.

Dietz’ memberships aside from the Young Farmer Chapter include Pheasants Forever, Colorado Corn Growers Association, three local cooperatives, Farm Credit and the Kirk United Methodist Church. 

He and Erin have two children, a son Dylan age 11 and a daughter Haley, age 8.