Undated newspaper clipping tells the story of Gary Huber’s Nutria Ranch that helped pay for his college education.

Undated Clipping about Gary Huber's Nutria Ranch found today. WHC 0083.006.0013.054

Undated Clipping about Gary Huber’s Nutria Ranch found today. WHC 0083.006.0013.054

“Planning College Education: Cascade High School Youth Develops Own Nutria Ranch” the undated article read (0083.006.0013.0054).  The furry blob in the grainy photograph looks more like something out of a Star Trek episode than a lucrative business venture.  But, the vegetarian, prolific Nutria’s tanned hides could be sold for $20-$25 dollars each, making it a lucrative business.  Nutria pelts could even be used as a substitute for high grade Chamois leather.  With a herd of 235, that seems like a good college savings plan to me.

Nutria had been brought to Oregon as early as the 1930s, long before Huber started his ranch.  The market collapsed in the 1940s, leading to many farmers releasing the animals into the wild.  Those nutria you see today are probably their descendants.  You can read more about Oregon’s Nutria history on the Oregon Encyclopedia.

Nutria are native to South America and Huber imported a pair of Golden Nutria from Argentina to supplement his flock.  The reporter notes that the animals eat whole corn, rabbit pellets, fresh garden veggies, hay and squash.