The Krentz Ranch  and family were recently inducted into the Arizona Farming and Ranching Hall of Fame.

Sue and Rob Krentz of the Krentz Family Ranch

The Hall of Fame held its  first annual Honoree’s Dinner on March 28 in Phoenix.

This year’s honorees were Jim and Connie Brown, Payson; Steve Bales Sr, Buckeye; Jim Hauser, St Johns; Chuck Lakin, Avondale; Cecil Miller Jr, Litchfield Park; Emil Rovey, Glendale; Ronald Wood, Avondale and The Krentz Ranch in Douglas.  

The century old Krentz Ranch northeast of Douglas in southern Arizona is the legacy of Julius and Emma Krentz.  Julius died in 1910 but the fourth generation of the Krentz family continues the tradition of raising purebred Hereford and Charolais, as well as cross-bred cattle.

The ranch is currently owned by great grandchildren Rob, Phil and Sue.  Roe and his wife Susan and Phil and his wife Carrie and their families live and work the ranch with Rob heading up the operation.

Throughout the years, members of the Krentz family have left their mark on the State.  Grandmother Sara Krentz served as a page in the Territorial Legislature in Prescott.  Stuart Krentz served in the State Legislature following World War II.  He later moved to Mexico for several years to work on the high successful AFTOSO Program to eradicate Hoof and Mouth disease.  Returning to Arizona, Stuart pursued a career in banking and later served terms as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Arizona Cattle Growers for many years.

Today Rob Krentz carries on the family’s history of service.  He has served as President of the Cochise-Graham Cattlegrowers Association.  Susan Krentz has served as the Arizona State Cowbelle President and continues actively working with Arizona Cattle Growers Association, Arizona Farm Bureau, Women in Farm Economics (WIFE) and many other agricultural organization to promote the beef industry and protect private property rights through education and legislation.

The Krentz Ranch is noted for its extensive gravity flow water line.  Water from the line sustains the cattle operation and provides the water needed to maintain a well managed range.  The line is augmented by submergible pumps to provide a consistent flow.

The line not only provides water for the cattle, it has allowed the family to create 25,000 acres of wildlife habitat for numerous species such as deer, javelina, mountain lion, antelope, dove and quail.

The 4-Rivers Heritage Center at Lakin Farm, Goodyear, has the mission and goal to preserve and present the agricultural and ranching history of the State of Arizona.  To preserve this legacy the Heritage Center has established the Arizona Farming and Ranching Hall of Fame.  

Each year honorees will be selected that represent farming and ranching families, educators, agri-business and the sciences that have created an enduring legacy for future generations.  Upon completion, the Heritage Center at Lakin Farm will be the permanent home of the Hall of Fame.