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Each year, Aksarben pays homage to the dedicated and hard-working Nebraskan families who have met the incredible milestone of owning at least 40 acres of farmland within one family for 100 or 150 years, respectively.

The Aksarben Foundation, along with Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers, recently announced this year’s 122 honorees for the Aksarben Pioneer Farm (100 years) and Aksarben Heritage Farm Awards (150 years).

Three Antelope County families will receive Pioneer Farm awards, including John and Patricia Sehi, Groveside Farm, John Sehi family, established 1920; Steven and Annette Rasmussen, Rasmussen family farm, established 1920 and Chris Rasmussen, Rasmussen family farm, established 1920.

In Holt County, two family farms will be honored, including Dan and Jean Roberts, Linza and Bertha Axtell family farm, established 1919 and Jerry and Elaine Tasler, Tasler family farm, established 1919.

Aksarben began awarding the Pioneer Award in 1956.

Since that time, nearly 10,000 farm families have received the award statewide. The Heritage Award, established in 2014, has been awarded to nearly 100 farm families.

“We’re proud to recognize these Nebraska farm families each year. The dedication and perseverance demonstrated by these families is a testament to the strong Nebraska values that set our state apart and have been making Aksarben proud, for over 120 years,” said Sandra Reding, Aksarben Foundation president.

Due to COVID-19, many county fairs are still questioning whether to have the fair this year. Instead of handing out awards at county fairs, the foundation is working with both Nebraska Farm Bureau and county fair managers to get awards to recipients across the state.

“Nebraska Farm Bureau will work with our regional managers, our county Farm Bureau leaders and county fair managers to set up times to deliver these prestigious honors. Nebraska Farm Bureau is proud to help sponsor these farm family awards and are happy to share in this tribute. Nebraska Farm Bureau’s heritage and continuous mission is to serve Nebraska farm and ranch families, and these awards recognize the commitment to preserve and build Nebraska agriculture for future generations,” said Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson.

To commemorate this milestone, each of these families will receive an engraved plaque and gatepost marker at the county fair in the county where their farm is located.