Five Long-Time Families at the Heart of Boulder County

Offering a tour of the property, John reaches a sort of graveyard for vintage vehicles. Even older than the classic 1949 Ford Business Coupe is a horse-drawn plow dating back to the late 19th century. Amazed, he describes the team of horses needed to do the work of one simple motor today.

Yet, even with today’s fuel-powered conveniences, farming isn’t without its woes. Last year, John lost a good part of his pumpkin crop to an early season hailstorm, which left the gourds damaged and susceptible to squash bug infestation. Furthermore, he lost access to his roadside market when the flood closed down Highway 36 during prime selling season. But recovering from that is what keeps John enthused about farm life. “It’s rewarding to raise something in a garden,” he says. “It just feels good.”

Seasonal work like farming, ranching and quarrying also allows for off-season hobbies and artistic pursuits. About eight years ago, John went to a sculpting workshop just outside of Taos, New Mexico. He discovered a knack for chiseling limestone into imaginative shapes and objects. Around his studio, a smattering of sculptures range from abstract stacks of toruses to exact likenesses of objects like anvils, bed pillows, and even a larger-than-life cigarette lighter. John has even sold a few sculptures – abstract pieces, a 150-pound apple, and a car battery likeness – alongside his pumpkins at the stand.

Looking ahead four more generations into the future, John foresees the sandstone quarrying business still going strong. “I presume the stone business will still be there. That’s the good thing about it. In actuality it hasn’t even really been touched, considering how much stone is out there.”

Loukonen isn’t as hopeful about the farming and ranching aspect of the land. After their father passed away eight years ago, the six siblings divided the farmland among themselves. They’ve retained a few acres, but the majority has been turned over Boulder County. “Hopefully someone will come in and want to farm it,” John muses. “That’s what it’s supposed to be there for.”