Kuenning family receives Aksarben award

by shari friedel

     grant tribune-sentinel 

Being awarded the Aksarben Pioneer Farm Family Award this year is the Kuenning Family of Perkins County. The Pioneer Farm Family Award recognizes the ownership of at least 40 acres of farmland held by the same family for 100 years.

Brandon and wife Kelly; and Brandon’s sister and brother-in-law Kory and Nick Fowler are the fourth generation to farm the land approximately six miles south of Grant. They join parents Jerry and Kathy Kuenning in the raising of corn, wheat, soybeans and dry edible beans. The family also owns a feedlot and cow/calf operation 12 miles south of Grant.

The original purchase was made by Brandon’s great-grandfather Ernest Schroder in 1917 when he moved to the Grant area from eastern Nebraska.

On his passing, the land was divided between the three children born to him and his wife Stella—Gerald, Doris (Brandon’s paternal grandmother, Jerry’s mother) and Roberta.

Doris and her husband Wilbur farmed the land where the feedlot is now located. 

When Gerald passed away, his widow Pat Schroder allowed Jerry and Kathy and their family to rent, then eventually purchase their ground, being instrumental in the farm’s being kept in the family. 

There are six in the upcoming generation, including Luke, Lily and June Kuenning, 12, 10 and two; and Hayden, Grady and Landry Fowler, 10, five and three. The hope is that at least one of them will have an interest in keeping the family farm going.

“They love the farm and are actively on it in the summer and after school, but we will see what they decide for future occupations,” Kelly said.

“We’ve been very blessed that we’ve had family willing to make it a priority to maintain ownership within leadership by the generations before us, passing on the importance of the land, and the occupation of farming.”

Kuennings are one of nearly 10,000 families recognized statewide since 1956,with either the Pioneer Farm Family Award, or the Heritage Farm Family Award which recognizes 150 years of family farm ownership.

“It’s such an honor to recognize the hard work and dedication of these incredible families. The milestones these families have reached is a true testament to the strong Nebraska values that set our state apart and have been making Aksarben proud for over 125 years,” said Sandra Reding, Aksarben Foundation President.

Mark McHargue, president of Nebraska Farm Bureau, adds, “Nebraska Farm Bureau is proud to be part of this long-standing program. These awards recognize the commitment to preserve and build Nebraska agriculture for future generations.”

To commemorate this milestone, the Kuenning family received an engraved plaque and gatepost marker at the Perkins County Fair.

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