David Lewis Barhydt

1949 - 2023

David Lewis Barhydt was born in Hinsdale, Illinois to George L. Barhydt and Berdine L (Huebner) Barhydt on June 13, 1949. The family later moved to California settling in Orangevale where Dave attended Faith Lutheran parochial school in Fair Oaks and graduated from Bella Vista High School in 1967. He attended American River College and received an AA Degree in accounting. While in college Dave took courses in auto body repair and decided that was the career he wanted to pursue. He worked for Mel Rapton Pontiac as a painter for several years.

Dave met his wife of 53 years, Laura (Smotherman) Barhydt in their church's youth group while in high school. After their marriage in 1969 they purchased their first home in Orangevale. They enjoyed camping, hiking, fishing, horseback riding and exploring back roads in the Sierras especially Nevada County. The love they developed for Nevada County led them to purchase bare land in the Garden Bar area where they built their homestead and raised their family. Dave did all of the construction of the homestead himself from the ground work to the finish with volunteer help from family and friends. That experience led to a career change when Dave discovered how much he enjoyed working with his tractors and raising livestock. He received his contractor license and specialized in septic systems, ground preparation for new home construction, erosion control and agricultural water systems in Nevada and Placer counties from 1987 until he retired. Although construction was his main income his commercial cow calf operation was his obsession. He loved ranch work, improving his herd, and being an advocate for agriculture.

Dave volunteered as coach for Bear River Little league and as a 4H leader with Meadowlarks. One of his fondest memories was getting the 4 H camp ready for campers each year. He also volunteered his time with Bear River FFA at the cook shack and driving students to competitions.He was a member of Higgins Diggins Lions Club and participated in the fundraising for and construction of the Higgins Lions Community Center. Dave served several years on the Nevada County Youth Ag Boosters and the Board for the Nevada County Resource Conservation District and was the current Board President.

Preserving agriculture in Nevada County was a top priority for Dave. He loved his cattle, taking care of the land, and sharing his knowledge with others. He was working with NRCS and Point Blue Conservation to improve the soil and wildlife habitat on the ranch and the family intends to continue his efforts. One of the things he enjoyed most was welcoming visitors to the ranch to enjoy McCourtney Roads Pumpkins and was sad when his illness made it necessary to close.

Dave served as a Board Member for the Nevada County Farm Bureau since 1995 serving as President and Vice President. He enjoyed being a delegate at several annual meetings and attending the Farm Bureau Capitol Ag Day. One of his favorite committees to chair was the after fair cleanup where he recruited volunteers with tractors and dump trucks to clean the barns raising funds for scholarships benefiting local 4-H and FFA members. Dave served as a stakeholder on NID water committees and was a strong advocate for protecting ag water and keeping rates affordable while reminding the water district that Farm Bureau members started the district to provide affordable ag water. He was honored and proud to serve as the District 15 Director for the California Farm Bureau from 2017-2021.

Dave is survived by his wife Laura and children Sean and Lori Long and grandchildren Owen, Luke, Eli, and Ava Long of Grass Valley. Andy and Julie Barhydt and grandchildren Daphne Green and Myles Barhydt of Grass Valley.