Mink Farming

Mink farming was a significant part of Mantua's economy for many decades, with its history deeply intertwined with the broader mink industry in Utah. Utah became the second-largest mink producer in the United States, after Wisconsin, by the mid-20th century. The state's cold, dry climate and high altitude were ideal for producing the high-quality, dense pelts that were in demand for luxury garments.

History of Mink Farming in Mantua:

Mantua, with its unique geographic features, became a hub for mink farming. Mink producing operations started to take hold in Utah in the 1920s, and Mantua's rural setting made it a prime location for these operations. While specific records on individual mink farms in Mantua are not widely available, the town was a prominent location for the industry, which was largely made up of small, family-run businesses.

In the years when the Mantua Fish Hatchery (in the south east corner of the valley) was privately owned they also raised mink and Silver Fox as well as fish. Bryce Jeppsen says when he worked there as a young man that they had 75 thousand mink at the fish hatchery.

As far as I have been able to determine, the Valcarce family was the last of the families to raise mink in Mantua, the Valcarce operation was located on the east side of Meadow road. Many years ago Meadow was an un-paved “field road” used mainly for agriculture.

Thanks for the content goes to Scott Larkin