Four Generations of Belief
Our History
NC Wagers and Marie Alden
1930's: First Generation
NC Wagers was born in Kentucky in 1890, but came to Colorado in 1920 where he eventually purchased his first farm ground in the early 30's.
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He utilized new summer fallow techniques and paid back taxes on farms that went broke and left during the Dust Bowl. At one time he partnered with a sheep farmer and ran sheep on his ground.
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NC and Marie had 3 boys: Jack, John, and Bob, all of whom came back to farm when the war ended after the 40's and early 50's.
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In the 1950's, Bob and John formed a limited partnership with Bob keeping the books and John farming. The partnership eventually split in 1970.
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John L. Wagers Inc. was formed in 1969, John having begun raising hogs in 1968 to bring in additional income to keep their current hired man.
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John and Joyce had 3 kids: Debbie, Mark, and Judy.
John Wagers and Joyce Plane
1950's: Second Generation
Mark Wagers and Jean Blake
1980's: Third Generation
When John passed away, Joyce inherited John L. Wagers Inc. and farmed by herself for a couple years before Mark and Jean began crop sharing with Joyce on a few acres in the 80's. ​
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By 1980, hogs were no longer raised on the farm. By 1982, David Wagers (Mark's cousin) and Mark formed Wagers Seed, selling certified wheat seed. In 1990, the Pioneer dealership began.
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In 2005, Mark unexpectedly passed away in a car accident. Jean and Mark's three sons: Jonathan, Jacob, and Justin began running the operation in their early to mid-twenties. Jacob and Justin return to the farm full time in 2004.
The years following Mark's passing had plenty of challenges between drought and hail in the mid to late 2000’s. Yet, perseverance through the difficult times allowed the farm to not only survive but expand.
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In 2008, Golden Grain Farms was established. From 2005 to 2015, the number of acres farmed doubled.
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Today, we are known for the same attributes that made us unique starting in the 1930's: innovation, hard work, and results. We love what we do and strive to create conditions for growth in our stewardship of the land as well as our relationships with people.
Jacob and Justin Wagers
Today: Fourth Generation
