Celebrating Agriculture
Agriculture always has been a significant part of life in greater Nebraska, and Aksarben is proud to celebrate its history.
For 90 years Aksarben was the sole proprietor of the Aksarben Stock Show, which moved to Grand Island in 2017.
Now produced by the Nebraska State Fair, Aksarben has a continued commitment to the sponsorship of the Aksarben Stock Show in perpetuity. Aksarben began tying its education and scholarship initiative to the Aksarben Stock Show in the mid-1900s. That legacy continues to this day with Aksarben Ag Leaders and Purple Ribbon Auction scholarships totaling $250,000 each year.
Another example of Aksarben’s commitment to the industry of agriculture is the Aksarben Farm Family Award. In partnership with Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers, Aksarben recognizes the perseverance and fortitude of Nebraska farm families who have held same-family ownership of land for a century or more. The Pioneer Farm Award recognizing 100 consecutive years of ownership and the Aksarben Heritage Farm Award for 150 years are awarded throughout Nebraska at county fairs each summer. Since the Foundation began honoring these families in the 1960s, nearly 10,000 families have been recognized.
The Murdoch family, one of this year’s Aksarben Heritage Farm Family Award recipients, has been working its family farm since 1859, nearly a decade before Nebraska became a state. In that year Ohio native John Murdoch made his way to a spot three miles north of Nehawka, then part of the Nebraska Territory. There he and his wife Sarah farmed and raised seven children. The Murdochs are one of over 140 families to receive an Aksarben Farm Family Award this year.
Today Duane Murdoch, his wife Eileen and their three children Nicholas, Nathan and Megan – who represent the family’s fourth generation – operate the family farm, raising cattle and growing corn and soybeans. What was once a 160-acre farm, operated by hand or by horse, has grown to 3,000 acres that utilizes technology John Murdoch could have never imagined. Eileen says, “Each generation brings a new perspective to running and operating the farm.” Nicholas owns a hay-cutting/ bailing/sales business and Nathan is a crop-dusting pilot. Megan graduated from UNL this year with an animal science degree and returned to the farm to increase the size of its cattle operation.
“One thing we have learned through all the years is to adjust and change with the times,” Eileen says. Today Duane Murdoch, his wife Eileen and their three children Nicholas, Nathan and Megan – who represent the family’s fourth generation – operate the family farm, raising cattle and growing corn and soybeans. What was once a 160-acre farm, operated by hand or by horse, has grown to 3,000 acres that utilizes technology John Murdoch could have never imagined. Eileen says, “Each generation brings a new perspective to running and operating the farm.” Nicholas owns a hay-cutting/ bailing/sales business and Nathan is a crop-dusting pilot. Megan graduated from UNL this year with an animal science degree and returned to the farm to increase the size of its cattle operation.
“Sometimes the economy required taking jobs off the farm or spouses working outside the home or starting businesses, all to carry on the legacy and farm for future generations of Murdochs.”
Aksarben is proud to recognize these farm families of Nebraska each year. The dedication and perseverance demonstrated by these families is a testament to the strong Nebraska values and work ethic that set our state apart.
To submit an application or learn more about an Aksarben Farm Family Award, visit the Foundation’s website at www.aksarben.org, where you also can see the list of past family recipients.
