Peter Andrew “Andy” Groseta, a third-generation Arizona rancher, respected agricultural leader, and devoted family man, recently passed away peacefully at his Cottonwood home, surrounded by loved ones after a courageous battle with cancer.

“I've worked with many agricultural champions over the years, but this cattleman, Andy Groseta, stands out in my mind as one of the most passionate I have had the privilege of working alongside,” said southern Arizona rancher and former Arizona Farm Bureau President Stefanie Smallhouse. “He was one to "show up" every single time.”

Smallhouse added, “I will always respect him for the fact that he sincerely cared about the future success of Arizona's cattle industry, and he did the work. If you ranch in Arizona, if you ranch in the West, if you ranch in the U.S., then please say a prayer of gratitude for this humble man that showed up for us every time, even when he was fighting for his life, he was there, at the meeting no one else had time for.”

Added Arizona Farm Bureau President John Boelts, “Mr. Groseta will be sorely missed as a trusted friend and fellow advocate who fought for the best of what agriculture is and can be. While those of us who worked with him to protect agriculture will miss him, I'm sure no one will miss him as much as his family. Our hearts and prayers are with them in their time of mourning.”

“I have known Andy for nearly 20 years and have had the opportunity to see his tireless efforts to serve the agriculture industry firsthand,” said Arizona Farm Bureau CEO Philip Bashaw. “Most recently, I had the honor of working alongside him to advocate for the University of Arizona College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences (CALES), and I have never met anyone with more passion and determination to protect and improve the college. His efforts will benefit the college and the ag industry for generations to come.”

 

His Legacy

Born on September 27, 1950, to Peter and Katherine (Maglich) Groseta Jr. in Cottonwood, Arizona, Andy was deeply rooted in his Croatian heritage. He cherished childhood memories of family gatherings, stomping grapes for homemade wine, and rotating lamb on a spit with his grandparents, Peter and Antonia Groseta Sr., and George and Anna Maglich. Each night, he bid his children and grandchildren “Laku noc” (Croatian for “good night”), a testament to his cultural pride.

Andy described his grandparents and parents saying, “They were raised with a strong work ethic, and that is the way they raised us.” Both sets of grandparents came from Austria-Hungary through Ellis Island with only the clothes on their backs to chase the “American Dream,” not speaking any English. They eventually ended up in Jerome working in the copper mines.

Andy’s life was intertwined with the land and livestock of the Verde Valley. As a third-generation rancher, he took immense pride in continuing the family legacy on the Groseta Ranch, which was recognized by the Arizona Farm Bureau as a Century Ranch in 2023. This prestigious designation honors farms and ranches operated by the same family for 100 years or more, reflecting the Groseta family’s enduring commitment to Arizona agriculture. The Dart W Ranch, in Yavapai County, belongs to the Groseta family and has been for over 100 years. The ranch celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2022 and held an event to honor its long history in the Verde Valley.

Andy’s connection to the ranch began early, his third-grade teacher once sent him to retrieve his father’s cows from the school lawn at Clemenceau Elementary. His favorite childhood horse, Biscuit, carried him through the Verde Valley’s rugged terrain, fostering a lifelong love for ranching.

A 1968 graduate of Mingus Union High School in Jerome, Andy was profoundly influenced by his FFA (Future Farmers of America) experience and his agriculture teacher. He served as a State FFA Officer, a role that shaped his future in agricultural leadership. He earned a B.S. in Animal Science and Agricultural Education from the University of Arizona in 1972, followed by a Master’s in Agricultural Education in 1978. Andy taught agriculture at Amphitheater High School in Tucson for eight years, a role he loved, before transitioning to ranch real estate in 1978. By 1980, he was managing ranches for Western Farm Management, and in 1983, he became a partner in Headquarters West, establishing himself as a premier ranch realtor in Arizona until his passing.

Andy’s personal life was equally rich. In Tucson, he met Mary Beth Meyers, who had come from Montana for a warm winter. Their early dates included pulling a cow from a mud tank, a fitting start for a life built on shared hard work. They married on May 10, 1980, and raised three children—Paul, Katy, and Anna—before returning to the Cottonwood ranch in 1986. Together, they nurtured a family and a cattle operation, instilling values of faith, hard work, and optimism. Andy’s “love language” was hard work, and he taught his children and eleven grandchildren—Jacob, Dylan, Grace, Peter, Brandy, HB, Katherine, Richard, Basilio, Andy, and Perry—that “anything worth doing is worth doing right the first time.”

A passionate advocate for agriculture, Andy’s leadership extended far beyond the ranch. He served as President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association (ACGA), earning the ACGA Cattleman of the Year Award. His contributions to Arizona agriculture were recognized with an induction into the Arizona Farming & Ranching Hall of Fame and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Arizona. Andy also served as Chair of the Catholic Community Foundation and on the Mingus Union High School Board, reflecting his commitment to community.

The Arizona Farm Bureau, a key supporter of the state’s agricultural community, celebrated Andy’s contributions, particularly through the Century Ranch program. Andy Groseta exemplified the resilience and dedication of Arizona’s ranching families. His recognition as a Century Rancher was a testament to his family’s legacy and his personal commitment to preserving our agricultural heritage.

Andy’s optimism and leadership inspired many, as he lived by the philosophy that “the glass is always half full.” An avid educator at heart, Andy shared his knowledge of the Verde Valley’s landscape with his children, quizzing them on the names of mountains, canyons, washes, and native grasses while riding his favorite horse, Roosevelt. A devoted University of Arizona Wildcats fan, he cheered from his recliner or at McKale Center, though he never shortened a workday unless his team was playing.

Andy is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Beth; his children, Paul (Gretchen), Katy (Kelly), and Anna (Bass); his eleven grandchildren; his brother, George; and many cousins. Known as a friend, mentor, and leader, Andy’s greatest pride was being called Husband, Dad, and Grandpa.

Andy’s legacy is not just in the land he stewarded or the cattle he raised, but in the people he inspired to carry forward Arizona’s ranching tradition with integrity and optimism. His life, marked by faith, family, and hard work, leaves an indelible mark on the Verde Valley and beyond.

Said Smallhouse in tribute to his legacy, “For every 100 cowmen that are too busy to fight for our industry, there is one, Andy Groseta, showing up on our behalf. I’m grateful to Andy and his family for his service in all things. Even though your fight has come to a close, your work matters and will live beyond your years.”