Three farms and ranches receive Nevada Centennial Awards

Three 100-year-old farms and ranches were awarded centennial status at the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association (NCA) Annual Convention Awards Banquet on Nov. 16. The Nevada Department of Agriculture, Nevada Farm Bureau, Nevada Agriculture Foundation, and NCA partnered to celebrate the families reaching this significant milestone.

The Centennial Awards began in 2004, and with the addition of the Miller, Moura and Pursel families, 52 family-run operations have been inducted.

Miller Ranch, located in Paradise Valley, was purchased by Gerhard Miller Sr. in 1914. The 450-acre ranch was inherited by Gerhard’s grandchildren, Paul and Fred. When Fred passed away, Paul and his wife purchased Fred’s half of the ranch and converted it into a farm where they grew alfalfa and grain. Today, Paul’s son, Stacy Dean Miller, owns and operates Miller Ranch where alfalfa and grain still grow.

Moura Ranch was founded in 1916 in Lovelock with the purchase of the original 80 acres of land by Manuel and Maria. Their daughter, Virginia, married Manuel Moura and they purchased additional parcels of land for the growing operation. Virginia and Manuel’s son, Thomas, and his wife, Darlene, continued expanding the farm, adding land and livestock, to what is now known as Moura Ranch. Currently, Thomas and Darlene’s eldest son, Anthony, and his wife, Lisa, handle the daily care of Moura Ranch along with their children, Daralyn and Devin, raising calves and farming alfalfa and grains.

In 1918, Henry Melvin Pursel, purchased 160 acres in Yerington. The land was covered with native grasses and brush and two cottonwood trees. Henry and his wife, Rosa, built their house next to one of the two trees and added ditches, leveled land and built what would become Pursel Farms. Three generations later, the original milking barn still stands on the property where Henry’s great-grandson, Darrell, and his wife, Suzanne, continue to farm alfalfa and raise cattle.

Visit agri.nv.gov/Centennial_Awards to learn more about the Nevada Centennial Awards program and read the history of other Centennial Ranches and Farms.

About the Nevada Department of Agriculture

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) promotes a business climate that is fair, economically viable and encourages a sustainable environment that serves to protect food, fiber and human health and safety through effective service and education. The NDA includes divisions of Administration, Animal Industry, Consumer Equitability, Food and Nutrition and Plant Industry.