Five Antelope County Families To Receive Pioneer Awards

The AKSARBEN Foundation, along with Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers, announced 138 honorees for the 2018 Nebraska Pioneer Farm and Nebraska Heritage Farm Awards. These awards recognize Nebraska farm families who have consecutively held ownership of land in the same family for at least 100 years (Pioneer) or 150 years (Heritage), respectively.

Five Antelope County families will be honored with Pioneer Awards this year: Gordon C. Baker; Sharon A. Klein, Linda L. Varn, Larry A. Braband and Kathy M. Fullerton; Clee and Monique Wolske and Randy Kossmann; Clifford and Carol Strahm; and Heithoff, Inc.


Since its inception in 1956, nearly 10,000 farm families statewide have received the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award. The Nebraska Heritage Farm Award, established in 2014, has been awarded to nearly 75 farm families. “We look forward to recognizing and awarding 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.

Partnering with AKSARBEN in sponsoring these awards each year, Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson has said, “Nebraska Farm Bureau is proud to help sponsor these farm family awards. 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.”

Each honoree receives an engraved plaque and gatepost marker as permanent recognition of this milestone. The awards are presented during the annual county fair in which the land is located.

Local Pioneer Awards honoring 100 years:
Antelope County - Gordon C. Baker
Antelope County - Sharon A. Klein, Linda L. Varn, Larry A. Braband and Kathy M. Fullerton
Antelope County - Clee and Monique Wolske and Randy Kossmann
Antelope County - Clifford and Carol Strahm
Antelope County - Heithoff Inc.