Scholarships
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MEET OUR FEATURED FAMILIES
Mission Statement
The High Desert Heritage scholarship program has been developed through the collaboration of agriculture stakeholders to ensure a vibrant and prosperous future for our industry by providing financial support to students pursuing a degree that supports all facets of agriculture.
We honor our past to preserve our future
The CKP Scholarship fund is proud to invest in the High Desert Heritage Scholarship program to help support the perpetuation of the family ranch. We value and appreciate the tenacity, hard work and innovation demonstrated by ranchers through the generations as they work hard to produce a high-quality beef product. We have collectively established $10,000 scholarships to be awarded in the name of six High Desert ranching families. A total of $60,000 will be awarded to students in the spring of 2024.
The CKP Scholarship fund is proud to invest in the High Desert Heritage Scholarship program to help support the perpetuation of the family ranch. We value and appreciate the tenacity, hard work and innovation demonstrated by ranchers through the generations as they work hard to produce a high-quality beef product. We have collectively established $10,000 scholarships to be awarded in the name of six High Desert ranching families. A total of $60,000 will be awarded to students in the spring of 2024.
Delong rANCHES
Delong rANCHES
The DeLong family has been ranching on the Jackson Mountains of northern Nevada for six generations. Beginning in the late 1800’s, the DeLongs have forged a path of resilience, tradition and work-ethic in Nevada starting with Mary Louise Kershner DeLong and her sons, William and Alta. As a young wife and mother Mary Louise lost her husband, John DeLong, when he drowned in the Green River of Wyoming in 1879. John DeLong trailed horses east to sell to the wagon trains ready to leave St. Louis and then guided those wagon trains west. It was on one of these trips that he was drowned. Later after moving to Nevada, their son, William
Delong rANCHES
Delong rANCHES
DeLong married Mable Floyd from another pioneer and ranching family with all daughters. These young women along with their mother, Elizabeth, took care of all the ranch work after their father, John Floyd, passed away when they were very young.In 1939, William and Mable’s son, Bill, and his wife, Dale DeLong, purchased Jackson Creek Ranch and later Trout Creek Ranch on the Jackson Mountains of Nevada. Bill and Dale along with their children, became incorporated in 1969, forming DeLong Ranches, Inc. John DeLong and his wife, Judy, along with their son, Will, his wife, Katie, and their children, Billy, Matti and Louise, continue to live and run the family-owned operation. DeLong Ranches raises age and sourced, all-natural Red Angus cattle with exceptional genetics. The DeLong family continues a tradition of work-ethic, integrity, and strong family values.
Cerri Family
Cerri Family
The Cerri family has been ranching in Northern Nevada since the early 1800’s. Ron and Denise’s grandchildren, make six generations of ranchers for the Cerri’s. Paradise Valley was originally where Ron’s great-grandfather tried his hand at ranching, and ultimately built the heritage and knowledge for raising high quality cattle in challenging conditions.
Ron and Denise moved from Paradise to Orovada in the early 1980’s and have raised their family at Rebel Creek Ranch ever since. We have been fortunate enough to grow our operation in the last few years, and have also leased a ranch from Nevada Gold in Elko/Eureka County. Ron’s son and daughter are currently raising their families and managing the ranches, as Ron takes on a new path fighting for agriculture at a national level.
We would love to see this go to someone who is interested in agriculture and the industry, no matter what end. Whether it be technology, law, welding, mechanics, or one of the many trades that are used to make agriculture as economical and environmentally efficient as possible.
Cerri Family
Cerri Family
We would like to see the applicants have some sort of agriculture background, as well as participation in clubs/sports that promote growth for each youth as well as the community.
Thank you for choosing our family, we are passionate about this industry and all its possibilities for our youth.
Jim and Mary Sue Davis
Jim and Mary Sue Davis
Jim and Mary Sue Davis grew up on ranches in eastern Oregon from 1950 to 1969. Jim’s great grandfather, Lon Davis and his two brothers, purchased land in North Powder in 1880. Lon’s son, Merton (Jim’s grandfather) and his wife Eleanor, continued working the ranch until his son Ernie returned from World War II. Ermie and his wife, Marge Davis, farmed and ranched there until the ranch was sold in the 1980’s. The Davis Family received an Oregon award for a 100 Year Continually Operated Ranch by the same family. Mary Sue’s family ranch in Keating, Oregon was purchased by her Irish immigrant grandparents. James and Katie Morrissey, in the early 1900’s. Mary Sue’s parents William and Sue Morrissey continued to ranch there until 1988.
Jim and Mary Sue Davis
Jim and Mary Sue Davis
Jim Davis began his career as a Superior Livestock Rep in 1988. Throughout his career, Jim has marketed almost 1,000,000 head of his customers cattle in Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, and California. Jim and Mary Sue began the Video Royale sale held every summer in Winnemucca, NV since 1992. It has grown to an event that customers and industry members from all across the country look forward to attending each year.
Jim and Mary Sue Davis
Jim and Mary Sue Davis
In 1874 Alfred Shotten Wilkinson and his wife Harriett homesteaded the 10 Mile Ranch just north of Ft. McDermitt, Nevada. They loved cattle and their dream was to build their ranch using Hereford stock from England. Through their family of 8 they expanded their business footprint and helped build a community in the Quinn River Valley. In 1930, George Wilkinson, their 7th child bought the Little Meadow Ranch. He and his wife Jessie raised two boys, George and Fred Wilkinson who continued to build upon the Wilkinson Ranching legacy by operating the Little Meadow Ranch and expanding through leasing and then buying the McCormick ranch on the west side of McDermitt in 1967. George’s son Kimble and his family continue to operate the Little Meadow Ranch.
Wilkinson Family
Wilkinson Family
Presently at GJ Livestock you will see Black Angus cattle thriving under the hard work and ingenuity of Fred and Judy Wilkinson and their son Nick and his wife Jaimi. Nick’s sister Lori supports her family in many ways but focuses on bringing corporate marketing expertise to expand the GJ Livestock brand and market share. Fortunately, the next generation grows like green grass with grandson Hyland and his wife April engaged in the business to uphold traditions. Additionally, we are lucky to have Hyland’s sister, Staheli come back to Northern Nevada as a DVM, who with her husband Victor also raise livestock on the Ugalde ranch in the Kings River Valley.
For nearly 150 years (6 generations) our family has been synonymous with ranching. We have survived depressions, drought, floods, and drastic changes in the livestock industry, however, through a commitment to innovative ranching practices we have sustained the land, cattle, and more importantly, our family. We honor our forefathers and all they created to help us build a sustainable and prosperous future.
Wilkinson Family
Wilkinson Family
Rob and Delia Nuffer
Rob and Delia Nuffer
Rob and Delia Nuffer owned and operated the Woodward Ranch (inherited from Delia's parents) near Denio, Nevada (2 generations) for many years, Rob also worked for the State Highway and Delia sold her wonderful photography and Dano Pottery. In 2019, Rob and Delia sold the ranch and moved into "town" and now live next door to their son and his family. Rob still takes care of a few of his daughter in laws "bottle baby" cows and calves and has a nice group of horses that he team ropes on and helps friends and family brand. Delia has a "gallery" now where she can display her beautiful photography and the Dano Pottery.
Nuffer Family
Nuffer Family
Rob and Delia's, youngest son, Brandon lives in Winnemucca and owns and operates Nuffer Fencing LLC. Brandon builds working corrals, arenas, and feedlots from continuous fences for livestock operations across the Northwest. Brandon is married to Katie, and she also comes from a ranching family. Her family owns and operates T Quarter Circle Ranch west of Winnemucca, NV (4 generations). Katie works for the USDA Farm Service Agency in Nevada. Brandon and Katie have two daughters, Gemma and Ruby. Rob and Delia also have another son Jared that lives in Kansas. Jared and his wife, Addy have four kids, Doc, Kamble, Hazen and Haisley.
I would like to see us help the various kids that grow up on a ranch or in the ranching community. Neither of my daughters are being raised on a "ranch" (25 acres in my mind is not a ranch) however, they help my parents and several others on the ranches.
Nuffer Family
Nuffer Family
Mori Family
Mori Family
In 1878, Pietro Mori came to America from Fornovolasco, Italy. He spent 2 years in Eureka, Nevada making charcoal, from there he moved on to Lake Tahoe. In Tahoe he leased a timber track and supplied wood to the Virginia Truckee Railroad’s steam-powered locomotives. He received his citizenship papers around this time, he was proud to embrace the country that had enhanced his life. In 1909, he was able to send for his family in Italy. They moved to Fallon, Nevada and leased ground from John Bailey. They raised vegetables for the nearby mining camps. In 1914, the lease expired on the Bailey Ranch and Pietro was able to purchase the Wightman Ranch consisting of about 320 acres for $25,000.
Mori Family
Mori Family
He, along with his sons, Senofonte (Sam) and Vittorio set out to farm their own property. They farmed the Wightman Ranch until selling it back to a Wightman Family member in 1920. Pietro retired and returned to Italy with his wife and son, Sam.
Back in Italy, Sam married Iolanda Maurini in the early 1920’s and they had two sons, Nelo born in 1924 and Pietro (Peter) in 1928. Sam returned to Fallon where he worked hard to make a life as a farmer raising alfalfa, grain, planted fruit trees, and a large vegetable garden. At that time, it was customary for the family to remain in Italy until the man could send for his family.
Sam saved enough money and in 1938 sent for his sons. Nelo, 14 and Peter, 10. The young boys traveled from Fornovolasco Italy to America, first by boat to New York then by rail to Hazen, Nevada near Fallon. Sam picked them up off the train and enrolled them in school. They learned English and helped their father farm.
Nelo and Peter loved America and took great pride in being American. They dreamed of owning their own ranch. In 1958, they were able purchase a ranch in Jack Creek and in 1960 another ranch in Deep Creek near Tuscarora, Nevada.
In 1956, Nelo married Ida May Vieira and had three children, Samuel, Peter and Linda. Nelo raised his family at Jack Creek and continued to add to his operation with a farm in Lovelock, Nevada. Sam and Pete along with their families continue to operate the ranch. Linda married and lives in Fallon, where it all started with her husband Wes. They have an alfalfa farm and raise corriente cattle. Nelo and Ida May remain in Lovelock, overseeing the day to day operation contributing where they can.
Mori Family
Mori Family
In 1974, Peter married Karan Phifer and in 1975 purchased the 101 Ranch in Mountain City, Nevada. Peter and Karan raised their five children, Rita, Daniel, Connie, Matthew and Iolanda on the 101 Ranch. Daniel lives in Bruneau Idaho where he and his family own and operate the Little Valley Bovine Bed and Breakfast Feedlot. Matthew lives near Winnemucca, where he and his family raise and train horses on their small farm. The girls all married and moved away from the ranch but still hold the values instilled in them from growing up on the Ranch. Peter and Karan remained on the 101 Ranch until his death in 2003.
USDA Risk Management Agency Pasture, Rangeland & Forage Program
USDA Risk Management Agency Pasture, Rangeland & Forage Program
“Anyone can sell you a policy. But CKP invests the time to understand your individual needs and develop a strategy that will produce the best coverage results.”
“Anyone can sell you a policy. But CKP invests the time to understand your individual needs and develop a strategy that will produce the best coverage results.”
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scholarship information
Deadline Dates: January 01, 2024- April 01, 2024
