By Brooke Curley
SAFFORD – Farmers and ranchers mingled with local homeowners at this year’s annual Farm, Home and Ranch Day, and honored a local legend, Garth Lunt.
The day was filled with educational classes, demonstrations and a live panel of experts in various fields of cattle to waterworks. However, over lunch, the agricultural community came together to honor one of the oldest pioneers in the local cattle ranching industry.
Brooke Curley Photo/Gila Valley Central: Garth Lunt will be turning 99 this year and is one of the most instrumental cattlemen in the Gila Valley.
Garth Lunt, who will be turning 99 this year, received recognition and a plaque in honor of his work in developing the agricultural environment of the Gila Valley. A brief biography of Lunt was given by Bill Brandau, who also presented Lunt with his plaque.
“His son calls him the last of the Snow River Cowboys for his wild rides on top of the Galiuros,” Brandau said.
Lunt was the first to premier the Brangus cattle breed in the Gila Valley. This endeavor was very productive, and the Brangus Cattle Association has given him many awards. Lunt is known to say that the cattle from his line is in every state in the nation, including Hawaii. In the early 1980s, Lunt was the one responsible for bringing the Brangus breed to Mexico. Lunt has raised quarter horses as well and has owned multiple ranches.
“I thank you very much for this honor, and I just hope that you really do enjoy the work here as much as I enjoyed doing it over the many years of service,” Lunt said as he accepted his plaque from Brandau. “I’m grateful to you, and I hope everything is roses for you.”
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