A Family Story of Landing
The Historic Henry H. Uhrich Farm has been in the family for over 100 years! In 1918 farming brothers Jake and Henry Uhrich purchased the land from Adam Smith. The brothers grew sugar beets (Loveland’s primary industry for years) for the GW sugar company as a primary crop, raised Hereford beef cattle, and grew a rotation of hay and small grains including barley for Coors brewery.
Henry also did blacksmithing and built the farmhouse that stands to this day in 1923. He married Katherine Zeiler in 1925. Both Henry and Katherine were Germans from Russia who had grown up along the banks of the Volga in the German colony of Frank. As small children they immigrated to America with their parents in 1900 where they later met and fell in love. Henry continued to farm with his brother while Katherine kept a spic and span household and provided delicious meals. Their only daughter, Barbara grew up on the farm but chose to follow the dream of a suburban life with meals at restaurants and shopping expeditions of which her mother Katherine only dreamed.
Henry and Katherine
Henry
Katherine and Barbara
Barbara married her high-school sweetheart Ken Calkins in 1950. Ken was born in 1926 and died in 2024 as a bit of a local hero having been one of the last living WWII veterans as well as a team member on the 1942 state winning football team of Loveland Highschool. After moving around for work opportunities Barbie and Ken settled in Golden, Colorado where they raised their only daughter Dana. As a child Dana greatly anticipated weekend visits to the farm where she could breath out, explore nature and discover kittens. With her love of the farm, Dana went on to become a veterinarian and later run a farm-based education program to introduce children to the wonders of farming.
Barbara married her high-school sweetheart Ken Calkins in 1950. Ken was born in 1926 and died in 2024 as a bit of a local hero having been one of the last living WWII veterans as well as a team member on the 1942 state winning football team of Loveland Highschool. After moving around for work opportunities Barbie and Ken settled in Golden, Colorado where they raised their only daughter Dana. As a child Dana greatly anticipated weekend visits to the farm where she could breath out, explore nature and discover kittens. With her love of the farm, Dana went on to become a veterinarian and later run a farm-based education program to introduce children to the wonders of farming.
Dana married Phil Burns whom she met at CSU in the Veterinary program and they moved to Wisconsin where they raised their two daughters Alicia and Zuri. During these years the Historic Henry H. Uhrich Farm was leased and run by various farmers. Despite never wanting to live on a farm, Barbara Calkins held a love for the Uhrich Farm and always told her grandchildren that no matter what they must not sell that farm.
In 2020 Dana decided to take on a larger role in farming the Historic Henry H. Uhrich farm herself. This brought her childhood love for the farm full circle and coincided with her parents moving to an elder community in Loveland CO. In her 60s Dana took on learning new skills like tractor driving and operating other heavy farming equipment.
Dana continues to farm to this day, currently growing rye, buckwheat and hay crops while raising a flock of sheep. In 2022 Dana successfully earned a conservation easement for the Historic Henry H. Uhrich Farm, solidifying its future as a farm sanctuary for years to come. Dana’s daughters Alicia and Zuri visit the farm from time to time to host cultural events and help out with farm tasks. In 2024 Zuri and her husband Frank united their love in Loveland through hosting a multi day marriage ceremony at the farm.
Looking into the future, the Historic Henry H. Uhrich farm aims to deepen its farm capacity while embodying its mission as the site of the Cresset Center which will bring community and culture to this land.
