Sponsored by AKSARBEN Foundation and Nebraska Farm Bureau. 

Eligibility for Farm Award:

• A minimum of 40 acres that continues to operate as a farm or ranch
• Same family must have continuously owned for a minimum of 100 years
• Ownership from original buyer has passed through children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, through marriage or adoption

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Copy written by Kathleen Heidemann(Nider)

1920-2020

10 miles north and 1/2 east of Fairbury

  In 1920, my grandfather Friedrich W.O. Heidemann brought the southeast section 23 from August Borchert. In 1949, my grandfather passed away. At the farm sale my parents Fred and Eunice Heidemann became owners of the farm. As years passed on (I)Kathleen Heidemann became owner of the farm in 1986. The farm is currently being rented to Ryan Nippert, where corn or soybeans are planted.

  I will accept the award knowing that it would not have been possible without my grandfather or my parents. The farm has been in the family for 100 years.

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Copy written by Larry and Judy Bors

   Homestead History of Farm 1869 -1875:

Under the Homestead Act of 1862, a $14.00 fee and compensation was received from Milton R. Winters on April 21, 1869 for Homestead Application No. 3098 comprised of 80 acres in E1/2 of NE1/4 Sec 34 and 80 acres in W1/2 of NW1l/4 Sec 35 in T1N of R2E, for a total of 160 acres, in Antelope Precinct, Jefferson County, Nebraska. Milton and his wife Sarah made settlement on said land on September 27, 1869 and continued to reside upon and cultivate the land until Milton's death in October 1870. Before his death he built a 16' x 22' house of hewed logs, dug a well to a depth of 22', and planted and cultivated 8 or 9 acres.

 After his death, his widow Sarah, built a stable with a shed attached, a granary, a large cattle corral, and a hen house. She also set out 400 fruit trees, broke 15 acres of farm ground and fenced in a pasture. Sometime between Milton's death and 1875 she married James Edwards.

Sarah M. Edwards (widow of Milton R Winters) received the Homestead Proof Final Certificate No. 2227 on September 1, 1875 in the Land Office at Beatrice, Nebraska. She paid $4.00, which was the second half of compensation of payment required by law.

Since the Sarah M. Edwards ownership, the farm was sold several times up until 1920.

Grandparents Charles H. & Eva E. January purchased the farm on July 26, 1920 from Walter Nutter & wife Ada. Both Charles and Eva had been residents of Kansas. Charles was born in 1880, and Eva was born in 1894. They had two young children Gwendolyn and Hubert who attended Dry Branch School District 51. They raised hogs, cattle and lots of chickens. Crops included corn, milo and hay all farmed with horses.

Improvements added to the farm were a brooder house and garage.

When the January's retired and moved to Fairbury, daughter Gwendolyn and husband Emil Janssen moved to the farm and purchased it in 1950. Their two daughters, Karen and Judy also attended country school at District 51. The girls were privileged to witness their school and home become electrified with the REA expansion. The Janssen's also raised hogs, cattle and chickens. Horses were also used in farming corn, milo, and alfalfa until a Farmall and Ford tractor were purchased. In the 1950's the farm was put in CRP, and Emil went to work at the brickyard, retiring after 25 years there. They continued living on the farm for a few more years and then moved to Fairbury in 1983.

The farm was transferred to daughters, Karen E. Banahan and Judy E. Bors. Their husbands were later added to the deed. In 1994 Larry L. & Judy E. Bors became the sole owners of the farm which continues today. The original house, hand dug well and granary still remain on the homestead.

 Tom, Brian and Sue Blobaum, current owners – Blobaum Family Farm, Established 1920 

 3N/2E/sec 1, 280 acres.

Herman C. Blobaum was the original owner of the farm which produces corn and soybeans, the next owner was Victor and Gladys Blobaum that acquired the farm in 1959 which is the son of the Herman.

Jerry Dux is the current owner of 160 acre farm,  NE Quarter of 1521 Lincoln Precinct, which is farmed with wheat, corn, soybeans and sunflowers. The original owner, Emil Dux acquired the land in 1919 and then the next owner Elmer and wife Mildred Dux, son to Emil, took over in 1964.