Web Briggs and Jane Matthews were born into the agriculture community of southern Douglas County. Five years later and several miles to the north Don Kruse was born into the agriculture community of Garden Valley.

While they grew up, their parents tilled their respective land alongside the South Umpqua River. And when the kids were old enough, they continued their family's farming tradition.

Web and Jane married in 1948 and have been farming and ranching on their Gazley Road land near Canyonville through the decades. Now 83, Web still helps his sons with cattle, sheep and hay operations on the property.

“I'm still capable of putting a day's work in on a tractor,” he said.

“I just try to get my work done before dark now,” he added with a chuckle.

Don Kruse was joined in his Garden Valley farming venture by Sally Kibbey, the daughter of a Coos Bay longshoreman, in 1950 when they married. Don, now 78, still enjoys driving a tractor and pulling different machinery through the fields and orchards that produce vegetables, fruits and hay.

He also is still willing and capable of putting in a full day of work.

The longevity of the Briggs and Kruses in Douglas County agriculture, their support of the industry and their volunteer service off their land to their home communities were recognized with Pioneer Awards by the Douglas County Livestock Association at its annual dinner meeting Oct. 10. Each couple was presented with a wool blanket.

“Any time you're honored in any way by people you know, people you deal with, many of them that I've grown up with, it's special compared to being honored by some group you don't know,” said Don Kruse. “It really meant a whole lot.”

“It's quite an honor to become part of that (Pioneer Award) group,” said Web Briggs.

Although the Kruses have been DCLA members for about 15 years, they were surprised to be honored because they haven't been livestock owners. However, the hay they've grown through the years has been purchased by livestock people. Kruse said long-lasting friendships and relationships have been developed between Kruse Farms and area ranches because of that hay.

Neither the Briggs nor the Kruses said they would change much about their agricultural lifestyles and making a living in the industry.

“I've enjoyed virtually all aspects of it,” said Briggs. “I just did what I needed to do to make a living, and not be at odds with the community.

“I feel good when somebody says they used to work for me, and that gave them money for school clothes and some change,” he added. “That pleases me.”

At various times through the years until about 1990, the Briggs raised turkeys, pole beans, blackberries, boysenberries, raspberries and strawberries. Hundreds of people were involved in picking those crops and helping get them to market. Web also designed and sold irrigation systems.

The Briggs were known to always be on the lookout for new market opportunities to expand their business. They weren't afraid to try new crops. But since 1990 the operation has been mainly cattle, sheep and hay. Web said livestock has always been his preference.

Jane took care of the bookkeeping, grew bedding plants and tomatoes in greenhouses, and cared for the couple's four sons.

“My wife has always been a big part of this,” said Web of Jane who has been suffering from Alzheimers disease for the past four years.

Don Kruse said there have been some struggles in agriculture, but overall the lifestyle has been great. He explained that according to his income tax form, the farm's net income in 1953 and '54 was a total of $3,200. He added that the family was living out of its own fields, eating what was raised.

“We had some bad years on the farm,” he said. “But in those tough years, we kept saying the year of the farmer was coming. It did get here. If I was going to do life over again, I wouldn't change my life at all.

“My mother and father set wonderful examples for me and my sisters,” he added. “There weren't harder workers in the country than my parents. They taught me how to live and how to treat people. And just as important was Sally. She was so supportive of me. She had no concept of what a farm was like, but she accepted it.”

Don and Sally raised two sons and a daughter on their farm. Sally continued to have an active role in bookkeeping and in the gift shop area of the Kruse Farms Market, Bakery & Gift Shop in Garden Valley until health issues forces her to retire last year.

“I wouldn't have traded it for anything,” Sally said of the farming lifestyle. “I've loved every minute of it.”

In addition to working in their fields and pastures, Don and Web found time to volunteer in their communities and eventually at the county and state levels. The were members of boards and committees that affected agriculture, the environment, youth and education. Sally and Jane were also involved in some volunteer activities.

The Kruses and Briggs are optimistic about the future of agriculture, but admit farmers and ranchers must continue to be more attentive to the details involved in food production.

“I'm sure it's got a future,” said Web. “We just need to get out in the public enough that we know what the problems are, the things the public votes on, so we can address those. We have to keep our ear to the ground and not let things get by us, things that are detrimental to us. We have to be able to make enough income to continue to produce.”

• You can reach Features editor Craig Reed at 957-4210 or by e-mail at creed@nrtoday.com.