Marlin Eisenach spreads passion for livestock to next generation
Marlin Eisenach was born and raised in Morgan County on his family’s farm. Growing up, he was involved in both 4-H and FFA, which is where his passion for livestock began. In 4-H, Eisenach participated in market beef and market hog livestock category, and he also showed corn and sugar beets in the crop production category. As a teenager, he also began showing steer and sheep in livestock shows.
After graduating from high school, he helped his father on the farm, gaining valuable experience in the process. However, two years later, he decided to study agronomy and animal science at Colorado State University and is still thankful he did so.
Eisenach returned home to Morgan County after college and continued his involvement in the world of agriculture. He became a 4-H leader and served on the Morgan County Fair Board before discovering a job opening at the CSU Morgan County Extension Office. Eisenach got the job, started working as an extension agent in livestock and has never looked back. He has now held the same position for over 35 years and still looks forward to every day of work.
“If I wouldn’t have got my degrees, I wouldn’t have been able to have this positon that I took 35 years ago. I love coming to work, so is it a job or just something I want to do? It’s something that I really enjoy. They’re paying me to do what I want to do! I enjoy getting up and thinking about going to work.
It’s not (something) everybody can say that has a job. I’m just fortunate,” said Eisenach.
He explained that about 30% of his job is working with ranchers, farmers and other ag producers. The other 70% of his job is working with 4-H youth and livestock, which is his favorite part of the job.
Eisenach is in charge of livestock at the Morgan County Fair as well as Mutton Bustin’ at the Brush Rodeo, two of his favorite events every year. He first got Mutton Bustin’ started at the National Western Stock Show and had so much fun with it that he began the tradition right here in Morgan County.
He also gets to travel a bit to judge county, state and national shows in livestock. He said the people he interacts with at those events are the highlight. He loves to meet new people and looks forward to seeing the youth grow and learn year after year.
In the last three decades, Eisenach has seen a lot of youth go through the 4-H program and even got to watch his three children participate in 4-H as they were growing up.
He is also proud to report that despite the decline in 4-H enrollment as a whole, the livestock numbers remain high.
Eisenach remains involved in multiple Morgan County boards and events each year and continues to create his legacy in the world of agriculture. He hopes some of the 4-H youth he works with will someday be inspired to do the same.