Leader Feature: Dick & Becky Pace
- Residence: Teasdale, Wayne County.
- Family (number of children):
- 5 daughters: Brooke (Tyler)Blackburn, Axtell, Ut.; Sarah Mae (LaRon) Bagley, Koosharem, Ut; Collette (Bart) Richards, SLC Ut.; Allyson (Matt Davis) Seal Beach, Calif.; Raquel (Joe) Ross, St. George, Ut. AND 5 granddaughters, 4 (and soon to-be 5) grandsons!
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- Began Farming-
- Dick has been farming all of this life. He took a short break and graduated from USU with a Bechelor’s degree in Agriculture Economics, served in the military in Viet Nam and then returned to Teasdale and worked with his father Guy Pace and 2 brothers as they built their farming operation, Pace Ranches, Inc. Becky helped her father, Meeks Morrell, on their family farm in Bicknell, Utah. She helped with the daily chores by milking dairy cows, changing sprinklers, riding horses and herding the dairy cows to the pasture, driving tractors and farm trucks during haying season. She also left the farm and graduated from USU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education / Office Administration.
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- Kind of Operation: We now have a cow/calf operation where we raise alfalfa, grains and corn and feed the calves to about 800 pounds then sell them to be fattened. We have both Gelbvieh and Angus/Herford cross cattle and specialize and raise pure bred and Balancer Gelbvieh Bulls to sale.
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- Other organization involvement: Dick has been a community leader by serving on the Soils Conservation for 20 years, Wayne County School Board for 12 years, President of Dark Valley Grazers, Secretary of Teasdale Irrigation, Commander of the American Legion and member of the Utah Cattlemen’s. Becky has been President of
- Wayne County Cowbelle’s, President of local American Legion Auxilliary, LDS Ward Primary President, Young Women’s President and Relief Society Counselor. She is also the Ward Organist.
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- Farm Bureau Service: When Dick and Becky were first married, Dick served on the Wayne County Farm Bureau Board for many years. He is presently serving as the President and Becky as the Secretary/Treasurer.
What got you involved with Farm Bureau? Dick’s Uncle Hugh and Aunt Fern King recruited us to serve with them on the local Wayne County Board when we were first married in 1972. We have been involved in one capacity or another since then.
If you could, what is one thing you would change in agriculture? That farmers could receive adequate compensation for their goods and costs to run the operation would decrease.
What do you see for Utah agriculture 20 years from now? As we look back over the past 20 years, there have been unbelievable advances in the way farmers operate. Equipment has advanced where computers are playing a vital role in the operation. Also selling cattle has changed. We anticipate more of the same kinds of changes as technology advances which includes GPS, computers, satellite etc.
What do you like most about being a farmer/rancher? Dick likes the independence the farm offers him. It has also given us an opportunity to raise our family in a rural community with many of the small-town benefits. All or our children helped on the farm and enjoyed riding 4-wheelers, horses, and participated in 4-H Horsemanship. Our children were very active in Wayne High School Activities including Leadership Opportunities, Speech and Drama, Music, and excelling in Academic Achievements. Four of our children have earned their Bachelor’s Degree, two of them have their Master’s Degree and our one daughter Allyson is an MD specializing in OB/GYN. Our youngest daughter, Raquel, will receive her Bachelor’s Degree in 2 more semesters.
Why should farmers and ranchers get involved in Farm Bureau? Farm Bureau offers a great service to Farmers by spreading the ‘Agriculture Message’ that farming and agriculture offers the basic, live-sustaining products to each and every person on this earth. The Farm Bureau has helped change society’s view of agriculture and those involved in the business to a more positive light: Farmers work long, hard hours to deliver food and fiber!. Also Farm Bureau keeps us updated on local, state and national policies.
Why should anyone join Farm Bureau, and what are the benefits? Farm Bureau is for everyone as we are all either producers or consumers of agriculture products. Farm Bureau continues to help teach this message to the general public. This, in turn, helps build the Farm Industry.
What have you learned as being a Farm Bureau county president & Secretary/Treasurer or what do you like the most about it? We both like associating with others and share a common bond with those who rely on Farming to sustain their living. We have a great Board of Directors and have shared some fun experiences with them.
What are some of your fondest memories about Farm Bureau? Our local Board raised funds by selling concessions during the Wayne County Fair Rodeo for about five years. It was hard work but we also had lots of fun working together. We also enjoyed traveling to Washington D.C. with the state leaders and other County Presidents in 2009. We enjoyed Historical sites and Dick was very honored to participate in the Wreath Ceremony at Arlington Cemetery. We made some wonderful friends during that trip.
What advice do you give to young farmers and ranchers? That hard work and perseverance will some day pay-off. Also to enjoy the farming life as it will help build a strong and successful family.
What equipment do you use? (i.e. John Deere vs. Case) Or you can have another comparison question, like Holstein vs. Jersey, Angus vs. Hereford, Ford vs. Chevy, etc.
We are very proud of the quality of our cattle as through the years we have bred Gelbvieh cattle which has performed well for our operation. We sell pure-bred Gelbvieh bulls and Gelbvieh-Angus Cross Bulls. A Gelbvieh-Angus cow will last longer and produce more pounds of beef in her lifetime than any other breed.
What is the most recent book you’ve read?
Dick and I both enjoy history and recently read “The Hole in the Rock,” by David E. Miller, “Undaunted” by Gerald Lund, and “The Mormon Battalion” by Norma Baldwin Ricketts. Dick’s great-great grandfather, James Pace and his son William Bryan Pace joined the Mormon Battalion on their Historic March to California and back to Utah. We just returned from visiting the LDS Mormon Battalion Historic Site in San Diego, California where we read about James Pace’s contribution to the March. This same James Pace was also with the first party who traveled through the Hole in the Rock on their journey to settle San Juan County. We are planning a family trip to the Hole in the Rock.
What did you want to be when you ‘grew up’? Dick says, “A Cowboy.” Becky wanted to be a teacher and mother.
Any unique hobbies/interests? Dick says, “I like to lean back in my recliner and watch the Jazz play ball.” Becky enjoys music and plays piano and performs two-piano concerts with her friend. She also likes to read, embroidery and cook.
Anything else you want to add: “It is an honor and privilege to serve in the Farm Bureau Organization with such outstanding leaders throughout the state of Utah. We count this relationship as one of our blessings. We are also blessed to have a wonderful family and enjoy the time we spend with them.”