Marvin and Sheila Schmidt have been honored as the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU) Farm Family of the Year for 2025.
Farmers Union is a general farm organization with members in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. As a grassroots advocacy organization, Farmers Union focuses on providing a strong voice for farm and ranch families and rural communities.
Marvin’s grandparents, Henry and Sadie, homesteaded near Loveland, Colorado. The Dust Bowl and Depression of the 1930s took its toll on the farm operation. In 1936, the family moved to central Wyoming to make the most of the available water and irrigation systems. Henry milked shorthorns, then separated out the cream for grocery money. The skim milk was fed to hogs.
Marvin’s parents, Harold and Alma, continued farming and staying active in Farmers Union. They were chapter officers and attended Farmers Union conventions. Marvin took over the farm when Harold retired in 1984.
With 400 acres at hand, the Schmidts have grown sugar beets, corn, beans, sunflowers, and high-quality hay. The best hay was sold to a neighboring dairy. What was left over was fed to Marvin’s sheep. This arrangement worked out until the dairy closed. With no other immediate buyer of hay available, the Schmidts expanded their sheep operation to make up the difference. The Schmidts raise 500 head of sheep, although at times that number can top 1,400.
The ranch is near Kinnear, where Marvin and Sheila are active in their Lutheran church. Sheila recently retired after teaching fourth grade for 45 years at the Wind River school. They are members of a rural electric cooperative and the Big Horn Cooperative. He is a volunteer member of the fire department.
They are regular participants at Farmers Union conventions. Marvin has been on several National Farmers Union Fly-In trips to Washington, DC to meet with ag policy lawmakers. As a lifetime member, he and Sheila keep their chapter active. Marvin grew up attending local and county Farmers Union chapter meetings, where he would attend the day classes held at the same time. Day classes are designed for youth and focus on topics ranging from civics to leadership.
When it comes to farming, he says, “It’s my way of life. I’ve always done it. I love it. I couldn’t do anything else.”