Tom and Barb Appleford have resided on the Couse Creek Ranch since the beginning of their
marriage in September 1973. Tom graduated from Anatone High School and Barb graduated from
Culedsac High School.
Together they raised three sons and have seven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
The Appleford’s have been involved in the Asotin County Fair for over 66 years when Tom showed
his first animal. Since the 1982 Asotin County Fair there has been a kid or grandkid of Tom & Barb’s
showing an animal in either 4-H or FFA and involved in many fair projects throughout the years. This
year will be the 4th generation showing at the Asotin County Fair.
Barb showed her first sheep at the age of three years old. She was named the Nez Perce County 4
H “girl of the year” in 1967. In that same year, she was also the grand champion steer. Barb was the
Anatone 4-H leader for over 40 years while her sons were involved in 4-H and she was a member of
the Asotin County Fair board for 15 years until her passing last year. She volunteered with
fundraising for the FFA in the late 1990s and early 2000s while her sons were in high school. She
came up with the idea to sell enchiladas to raise money for the two teams that made it to nationals
in 2001. This year was the 24th anniversary of the enchilada sale that many community members
look forward to purchasing each year and it has helped 100s of FFA kids purchase jackets and pay
competition fees.
Tom is a fourth generation farmer of Montgomery Ridge where he raises cattle and wheat. Many of
his steers and pigs throughout the years have been shown by his kids and grandkids. He continues
to watch his grandkids show their animals at the Asotin County and Walla Walla County fairs. This
will be the first year for a great grandkid to show.
Tom and Barb have enjoyed living their lives involved in agriculture and participating in the 4-H,
FFA, and Asotin County Fair Board. Tom is very humbled about being asked to be Grand Marshal
and it is a great tribute to the memory of Barb.
In Loving Memory of Barb Appleford