Staff Report
Five Otoe County families were recognized by Aksarben with the Pioneer Farm Award.
The award recognizes Nebraska farm families who have consecutively held ownership of land in the same family for 100 years.
The Gress-Allen Legacy V Family Farm was established in 1917.
The 160-acre farm was originally purchased in 1917 by Michael and Helen Gress.
Ownership was transferred to Bernard and Lois Gress in 1957, then to Paul and Linda Allen in 2003 and Paula Aldana, Joni Flewelling and James Allen in 2017.
The farm is located in the NE 1/4 of Section 7 in T7N, R14E. The farm has a cow-calf operation and produces corn and soybeans.
The Dennis Rieken 80-acre farm was acquired by August Schroeder on July 18, 1920.
In 1928, the farm was turned over to Schroder’s daughter, Marie Anna Schroeder Vollertsen and then to her daughter, Irene Vollertsen Rieken in 1970.
In 2001, the farm was turned over to Dennis Rieken, who is the current owner.
The farm is described as the N ½ of the NW ¼ of Section 30, T8, R13, Belmont.
“We are humbled and honored to receive the 100 year farm award,” said Jennifer Wu, Dennis Rieken’s daughter. “It takes a lot of hard work and faith to keep a farm in the family this long.”
The Wellensiek Family Farm has been in the family since 1898.
The original owner, Henry F. Wellensiek, purchased 320 acres described as Section 34, T8, R11.
In 1911 the farm was transferred to Henry C. and Louise Wellensiek and in 1971 the farm was transferred to Henry F. and Marilyn Wellensiek.
In 2023, the farm was transferred to Lee and Sharon Wellensiek and the Janice I Tompkins Trust who each currently own 160 acres. The farms grow corn, soybeans, hay and raise cattle.
Wellman Family Farms was established in 1917.
The 160 acres of the ground were originally acquired by Fred (Fritz) H. and Caroline Wellman.
The farm was passed to Raymond Wellman in 1967 who formed a family corporation that included son Steve Wellman and daughter Diane Kepler. Steve and Susan Wellman are the current owners.
The land is described as the NE ¼, Section 29, T8N, R11E of the Sixth Principal Meridian. Soybeans, corn, winter wheat and alfalfa are produced on the farm.
“We appreciate the hard work and endurance of our previous generations as they worked to create a farm that has been in our family for over 100 years,” said Steve and Susan Wellman.
“Farms and ranches passed through to multiple generations are a vital part of agriculture, Nebraska’s #1 economic driver. We thank the Aksarben Foundation and the Nebraska Farm Bureau for sponsoring the Pioneer Farm Award program,” they said.
