With one act of unparalleled generosity, John and Beatrice
Lowell might have done more to preserve the agricultural history of
Douglas County – and bolster the future of countless youngsters –
than any residents the county has ever known.

Last month, the Lowells formed the Lowell Family Foundation and
decided to leave their 175-acre ranch south of Castle Rock – prime
land worth more than many of us will see in our lifetimes – to 4-H
youth in and around Douglas County.

The Lowell Ranch on Plum Creek, which has belonged to the family
for a century, will be managed by the foundation’s seven-member
board. The ranch will serve as a place for landless 4-H
participants to raise livestock – a critical need in an
increasingly suburban county. It will provide space for judging
contests and other activities related to 4-H.

In addition to learning animal husbandry skills, the ranch also
will be a kind of hands-on laboratory at which youngsters can learn
about ranching work, such as weed control and irrigation.

Oh, by the way, the land happens to have several historic
structures on it, including a log cabin used by homesteaders and a
large barn. (Do we sense the potential for a future education
center that links the history of ranching in a broad sense with the
history of Douglas County and even the Lowell family in the
specific sense?)

Endless possibilities thanks to boundless generosity.

Larry Carnahan, 4-H Foundation president, best summarized the
magnitude of the Lowells’ gift.

“There have been a lot of good people who have done a lot for
4-H in this county,” he said, “but this is the biggest thing ever
done.”

In an age when some people, organizations and businesses
frequently demand massive publicity for even the slightest acts of
charity, it is refreshing to see what the Lowells have to say about
what they’ve done.

“We feel privileged to do it,” Bea Lowell said.

No, Douglas County is privileged to name the Lowells among its
residents.

So, on behalf of all Douglas Countians, the News-Press simply
would like to say, thank you, John and Bea Lowell.