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Bergers chosen as Ag HOF inductees

by Wyoming Livestock Roundup

From holding high-esteemed leadership positions in a number of state and local associations, to hosting elementary student tours on their ranch near Saratoga and instilling the value of agriculture into their own children, Jack and Diana Berger are prime examples of Wyoming’s finest agricultural leaders. 

“Jack and Diana are very active and have been instrumental in shaping the agriculture industry at all levels in Wyoming,” write the nominating team of Grant and Ronda Stumbough and Bobbie Frank. “They enjoy ranching and making a living off the land and believe the most effective policy decisions are made at a local level.”

“Jack and Diana believe in proper stewardship of the land so it can be passed on to future generations in better condition then they left it,” they continue. “Most of all, they believe in hard work and that it is better to get involved, have a strong voice and play a role in shaping the industry in ways that are best for the local people and natural resources.” 

Due to their unwavering passion for Wyoming’s ag industry, Jack and Diana Berger have been hand-picked as Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame (HOF) 2020 inductees. 

Jack – agriculture involvement

“Both Jack and Diana have volunteered much of their time and money to support Wyoming agriculture as well as their local community,” notes Wyoming Department of Agriculture Director Doug Miyamoto.

“Jack is currently serving as president of the Wyoming Natural Resource Foundation, which is dedicated to conserving Wyoming’s natural resources, heritage and culture,” the nominating team explains. “As president, Jack has been instrumental in providing the necessary support to fund a myriad of water quality, rangeland and wildlife habitat improvement projects as well as scholarship dollars to assist University of Wyoming students.” 

U.S. State Conservationist Astrid Martinez adds, “Jack has been instrumental in dealing with water issues and providing support for the irrigated agricultural economy of the valley. 

“Jack also currently serves on the board of the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust and has been instrumental in securing conservation easements on numerous ranches to protect open spaces, wildlife habitat and grasslands,” the nominating team says.

In addition, Jack has formerly served as president of the Saratoga-Encampment-Rawlins Conservation District. 

“As past president of the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts, he was a valuable asset in statewide water rights and state water law protection, watershed planning efforts, local Conservation District Supervisor training, water quality training, living snow fence programs, forestry conservation strategies, wildlife habitat improvement efforts and the list goes on,” the nominating team says. 

Jack has also been active with the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA), serving as Region IV vice president of WSGA and past president of the Carbon County Stock Growers. 

Additionally, he has served on the South Central Sage Grouse Local working Group, Upper North Platte Valley Water Conservation Districts and recently served on the Saratoga Planning and Zoning Board. 

Diana – agriculture involvement

“Education is Diana’s passion, and she worked extremely hard to ensure every student in her district received the very best education possible,” the nominating team says. “Her commitment to education is exemplified by the fact that she was re-elected for a second term on her local school board.”

Diana was appointed by Gov. Mead in 2018 to serve on the Wyoming State Fair Advisory Board. Thanks to her enthusiasm, knowledge and leadership abilities, she was elected to serve as chair in 2019. 

Additionally, Diana is an active member of WSGA and served several years on the Environmental Stewardship Selection Committee and as chair of the association’s Ag Promotion, Education and Enhancement Committee.

“As chair, she was a strong leader in promoting agriculture and ag education activities across the state,” the nominating team says.

Sharing their passion for ag

One of the most notable aspects of the Bergers’ leadership in Wyoming’s ag industry is their devotion for sharing their love and passion for agriculture, especially with their children, Jace, Aubrey, Kyle and Kirby.

“Together, Jack and Diana have been strong supporters of youth programs across the state,” says WSGA Executive Vice President Jim Magagna. “They have traveled many miles to ensure that their own family could be engaged participants in these programs.” 

“Jack and Diana believe in strong family values and have taught their children the value of hard work, dedication and how to be good stewards of the land,” nominators say. “They also believe in passing the ranch down to the next generation and have positioned the ranch, their children and themselves to accomplish this goal. Family is a number one priority for the Bergers.” 

Magagna concludes, “Jack and Diana’s contributions to Wyoming agriculture, both individually and as a team, make them most worthy of this recognition.” 

            Hannah Bugas is the managing editor for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net

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