Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (March 9, 2016)
A6 AG DAY Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, March 9, 2016 5DQFKLQJ$¿HOGOLNHQRRWKHU The Mullins: Working the land with perseverance through changing times %\&KHU\O+RHÀHU Blue Mountain Eagle PRAIRIE CITY — As MoEs go, ranching is in a ¿eld all its own. Duties and animals beck- on around the clock or, at best, from before sunup to past sundown, seven days a week, every week of every year. No calling in sick and no vacations, at least not without plenty of pre-plan- ning and help from neighbors and family. So why would someone want to pursue such a de- manding calling? Longtime Grant County rancher Carolyn Mullin said, “If you didn’t like it, you wouldn’t do it.” Carolyn and her husband, Steve, like it well enough to have been doing it for 50 years this coming June, rais- ing purebred Black Angus cattle on their Blue Mountain Angus Ranch in the Prairie City area, beneath the ma- jestic Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. However, the Mullins’ ranching days date back even further. Before settling in Grant County, the couple, who are both from Califor- nia, worked on Steve’s fam- ily’s Siskiyou County ranch in northern California, using a brand that had been his great-grandfather’s. Their sons, Allan and Dan, are carrying on the family business and are also Grant County area ranchers. As youths, both participated in 4-H and showed cattle at the Grant County Fair for many years, and Carolyn served on the fair board, too. She said ranching is a life- style that a lot of people can’t handle — “It’s so different from anything else.” It’s a 24/7 job, Carolyn said, especially when ani- mals are involved. See RANCHING, Page A7 Contributed photo/Tanni Wenger Photography Studio Carolyn and Steve Mullin have enjoyed nearly 50 years working the land on their ranch south of Prairie City. Proudly supporting Eastern Oregon agriculture. R obbins Farm Equipment 3850 10th St. Baker City 541-523-6377 10218 Wallowa Lake Hwy. La Grande 541-963-6577 1160 S Egan Burns 541-573-6377 86812 Christmas Valley Hwy. Christmas Valley 541-523-6377 Contributed photo Ranching and riding together, Carolyn Mullin and her son, Dan, pause their horses at a lush spot on the family’s Blue Mountain Angus Ranch. Contributed photo Longtime Grant County rancher Steve Mullin tends to one of his Black Angus cattle. Patterson Bridge Rd. John Day, OR 541-575-2102 ......................... Providing Grant County with the financial support to keep our agricultural industry growing strong. P ROUDLY PROVIDING employment opportunities for the people of Grant County since 1983. 129 N. Canyon Blvd, John Day • 541-575-1530 usbank.com Member FDIC Columbia Power Proudly Celebrating being a part of Grant County’s Agricultural Industry since 1948 • Irrigation • Plumbing • Electric 311 Wilson St. Monument 541-934-2311 Grant County Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize the hard work our local ranchers and farmers do for our county this Ag Day. Thank you for everything!
