Some legacies are built in steel, others in concrete, but Garn Christensen’s legacy is etched in the fertile soil of his family farm and in the enduring strength of the agricultural community he has helped lead.
Garn, alongside his wife Caryl Christensen, is a lifelong farmer whose dedication to agriculture is matched only by his commitment to his community and family. From his family's multi-generational farm in Richfield, Utah, to his long-standing role on the Intermountain Farmers Association Board of Directors, Garn embodies the spirit of a true champion of agriculture.
The Christensen Farm: A 120-Year Family Legacy
Garn and Caryl's connection to their Richfield, Utah, farm runs deep. Garn’s great-grandfather bought farming land in the area starting in 1899. He continued accruing more farming land including purchasing ground in 1905 where Garn and Caryl chose to build their home.
Garn was raised helping on the family farm and Caryl grew up in Vermillion seven miles away on her family's operation, making the Christensen family's farming legacy one that spans over a century. Their farm has seen seven generations of the family working the land, including Garn and Caryl's own daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
"We've got pictures of everybody working and helping on the farm," Caryl says, reflecting on the generational involvement.
Their operation has evolved over the years. At its height, Garn says they managed 800 acres of ground, growing barley and corn in rotation along with alfalfa. At that time, Garn worked alongside his father-in-law, Harold Thalman, and those 800 acres kept them “hopping,” he says.
Today, Garn and Caryl manage the operation with the help of their two daughters, Tammy Young and Lonni Chappell, as well as their grandchildren and great grandchildren. As he’s gotten older, Garn says he’s reduced the acres they once rented and owned, but he continues to grow alfalfa and corn that he sells to local buyers.
Working in agriculture is not without its challenges, and Garn is candid about the hard work involved. "Sometimes it's not very easy work, but you just buckle down and get it done, and I wouldn't trade it for anything else," he says. Garn jokes that his favorite season is the fall, when he can see the end of the year and can say, "Well, we dodged the bullet again and we made it.”
A Utah Family Farming Affair
The Christensen farm is the definition of a family affair, and the support Garn receives from his wife and daughters has been instrumental. Caryl, a self-employed cosmetologist who runs a beauty shop out of their basement, has been a key partner in their life and business.
“We built our house in 1977, and that's when we put the beauty shop in the basement, and I've been stuck down there ever since, but when I make my quota, I'm allowed out of the basement,” Caryl jokes.
All jokes aside, Caryl's work has provided crucial cash flow that helps stabilize the family's finances when the farm's income is inconsistent. According to Caryl, this financial stability and flexibility have allowed her to be available for their kids while supporting Garn with the farm operations.
The Christensens' two daughters were raised on the farm, where they developed a strong work ethic. While Garn says they may have "resented it" at times due to the long hours, they remained dedicated to helping on the farm. The girls learned to run a shovel and pitchfork as well as operate equipment and work hard, skills that have served them well in their adult lives.
“They developed one good work ethic, and it shows up in all of their jobs,” Garn says about his daughters. “I've had neighbor boys come and try to work with me, and I tell them, ‘you guys are going to have to step up because these girls will put you to shame,’ and nine out of ten times they did.”
A Dedicated Leader: Service on the IFA Board of Directors
Garn Christensen is no stranger to serving others. A Vietnam Veteran who served in West Berlin and East Germany, Garn has led and served in many capacities throughout his life including serving on IFA's Board of Directors.
Garn’s role on the IFA Board of Directors has been a significant aspect of his agricultural involvement for over two decades. Invited to join the board by his friend Chad Anderson, Garn has served since his election in 2003, making him the board’s current "longest-seated" member.
“It was a scary opportunity to start with,” Garn recalls. “I walked into that first meeting and thought ‘Boy, I don't know if I want to be here or not’ but I'm glad I stuck with it.”
Not only did Garn “stick it out,” he has fulfilled his role with great purpose and dedication. Garn has only missed two meetings in the span of his now 22-year tenure, and, while not a requirement, Garn also makes it a point to visit each of the customer appreciation days for the IFA Country Stores in his area.
“I just want to show our customers that somebody cares and enjoys having them as part of our cooperative,” he says. Garn’s commitment to his role is a testament to his belief that "if you tell someone you will do a job, you do it.”
Leading a Farm Co-op: Big Decisions on the IFA Board
As a farm cooperative, IFA is owned and managed by the farmer and rancher co-op members, with Garn serving as part of that agricultural voice, leading the cooperative’s direction and services. Garn represents the co-op members from District 5, which encompasses Sanpete, Sevier, Wayne and San Juan counties in Utah, as well as all members in Colorado, New Mexico and Eastern states.
Garn says that initially, he had "tunnel vision" about IFA, focusing only on how it affected his own operation. His perspective broadened significantly after joining the board. “I learned there's a lot more nuts and bolts to IFA than what I figured there was,” Garn says.
As a board member, Garn has helped approve several key developments within the cooperative, including large-scale projects. He and his fellow board members are ultimately responsible for approving funds for new IFA Country Stores, feed mills and agronomy centers that will benefit IFA’s agricultural producer members.
“It's lots of money that you're dealing with, and we have to approve that as a board,” Garn says. “We always wonder if we're going to bite off more than we can chew, but so far we haven’t, and I'm tickled with it.”
Garn believes the board's strength lies in its members being down-to-earth and having "savvy common sense" gained from their own farming operations. This practical perspective ensures sound investments that benefit all IFA co-op members. "We want to take care of the farmer, and we make sure that if we spend $10, we want $12 worth of stuff back," he explains.
During his tenure, Garn has seen significant changes, including the evolution of IFA's Country Stores from "little old metal sheds" to "great big beautiful stores". He is particularly proud of the enhancements made to the Feed Mills and Agronomy Centers that he believes truly help IFA’s Agricultural co-op members.
“What I've seen that I like the most is our Feed Mills and our Agronomy Centers because we've really enhanced them and looked towards taking care of the farmer,” Garn says.
IFA’s Co-op Community
One of the most rewarding aspects of Garn and Caryl’s involvement with the IFA board has been the relationships they've built along the way. "The main thing that I've enjoyed the most of all of it is the friendships that we have made,” Garn says. “They’re down-to-earth good people we would have never even known existed without being on the board.”
Through their board service, Garn and Caryl have attended IFA's bi-annual meetings, visited operations throughout the region and participated in board retreats and official business trips alongside fellow directors and IFA senior leadership. Garn has appreciated not only his relationships with his fellow board members, but also his connections with IFA’s leadership.
“We've had some good CEOs, I've worked under three of them now, and they've all been excellent,” Garn says. “Their focus is on IFA, and they understand IFA from A to Z.”
Both Garn and Caryl express their gratitude for the opportunities IFA has given them to meet exceptional IFA members, leaders and employees, creating experiences they wouldn't have had otherwise. As "farm kids" Garn notes, these connections have opened doors to a broader agricultural community they never expected to join.
A Lasting Impact on IFA
Garn's legacy is one of hard work, family and a deep-rooted love for agriculture. He has not only nurtured a family farm but has also played a crucial role in steering Intermountain Farmers Association to ensure the farm cooperative remains dedicated to serving the needs of the farmer.
We are grateful for Garn and Caryl’s commitment to their community, family and agriculture. Garn’s impact on the IFA co-op has been profound, and his decades of service will continue to impact the agriculture industry as a whole. Garn’s legacy embodies a true champion of agriculture.
Written by Mikyla Bagley, IFA Content Writer, and originally published in the IFA Cooperator magazine (vol. 91, no. 4) Winter 2025.
Mikyla Bagley is a fifth-generation rancher actively involved in her family’s cattle operation. She holds a deep respect for the wisdom and management practices of the farmers and ranchers who have crossed her path, both because of her family operation and otherwise. A deep desire to remain connected to the agriculture industry drove Mikyla to earn her BIS in Agriculture Science and Communication from Southern Utah University. She continues to be involved in her family’s operation while using her degree and life-long experience as IFA’s Content Specialist sharing the experiences and wisdom of IFA experts and Co-op Members.
“The agriculture community is filled with genuine and hard-working men and women whose passion for their lifestyle deserves to be shared. I look forward to helping highlight both their stories and expertise alongside IFA.”
—Mikyla Bagley