The Lattin and Weishaupt families were recognized last week during the County Commission meeting, as part of the Nevada Centennial Ranch and Farm Awards Program through the state Department of Agriculture. The program was begun in 2004 and is designed to recognize the
agricultural families who have owned and operated the same land for 100 years or more. Fifty-eight families have now been inducted into the program.
County Manager Jim Barbee explained the program, and introduced Rick and B. Ann Lattin, as he talked about the importance of the family heritage of farming in Fallon. Karl Weishaupt recently passed away, and the family was not in attendance at the meeting.
According to Barbee and the award website, George Lattin moved to Fallon in 1908 from South Dakota where he practiced law and served as a county judge. In 1918 he purchased an 80-acre parcel of farmland west of Fallon. He sold the farm to his son Ralph, who grew alfalfa, corn, and cattle. When Ralph’s two sons, Bill and Dick returned from World War II in 1946, they purchased a neighboring farm as the Lattin Brothers. Over the years, Dick focused on cattle and Bill on farming. Five generations later, Bill’s son Rick continues to farm the now 400-acre farm.
Rick and B. Ann added agritourism to share the authentic farm life and the Lattin family heritage with the public, and now 26-acres of the farm is open to the public for the Grower’s Market and the Lattin Kitchen where they sell homemade jams and bread. The Lattin family also holds an annual corn-maze and ever-popular pumpkin patch during the holiday season. The Lattin family prides themselves on growing famous Fallon cantaloupes. Several members of the family still reside on the farm with their families.
In 1918, Albert and Addie Weishaupt bought 80 acres in Stillwater and built the Weishaupt Homestead. They cleared the land, built buildings, dug ditches, planted fields, and put up fencing. As their family grew, Albert and Addie built a larger home using salvaged lumber and windows from the old courthouse in Stillwater. They raised five children and farmed alfalfa, dairy cows, sheep, hogs, and turkeys.
In 1946, their youngest son, Karl returned from serving in World War II and married Bettie Atwater. They raised three children, and in 1977 bought the home from his parents, continuing to raise alfalfa and cattle. Bettie passed away in 2013, and shortly before he passed away, just recently, Karl was honored to receive the Centennial Award. Their son Dana continues to farm the original homestead.
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