Paulsen Family Farms Aksarben recipient for 100 years of consecutive farm ownership within one family – Oshkosh Garden County News

OMAHA - Aksarben has been honoring our state’s agricultural heritage for nearly 130 years and began celebrating the dedication and perseverance of Nebraska farm families with Pioneer Family Farm awards in 1956. Since then, nearly 10,000 families have been recognized statewide with either a Pioneer (100 years) or Heritage (150 years) Family Farm Award. Paying homage to these families is something Aksarben looks forward to each year and, in partnership with Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Fair Board Managers, we are excited to announce honorees.

“Each year we get to reflect on the commitment of these Nebraska farmers who work tirelessly to feed not just our nation, but the world. The dedication these families have to Nebraska is truly inspiring, and celebrating these milestones is such an important legacy,” 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. Farm and deserve to with this prestigious ranch families be recognized coveted and award which includes nearly 10,000 families in its alliance. These awards recognize the commitment to preserve and build Nebraska agriculture for future generations.”

To apply, families should visit Aksarben.org and fill out an application. The deadline to apply each year is April 15. Once the application is received, the Aksarben Foundation will work with the county that the farmland is located within to approve the application.

To commemorate their achievement, each family listed will receive engraved plaque gatepost marker at respective county fair.

2023 Pioneer and their Farm Families - Honoring 100 Years: Deuel County - Freeman/ Paulsen Family Farm; Mauser Family Farm Garden County - Paulsen Family Farm Keith County Family Farm Peters

For more information about the Aksarben Foundation, visit aksarben.org

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Jep Paulsen was born in Somerset, Denmark in 1878. In March of 1882, along with his parents, brother, and sister, he boarded the steamship called the “Lessing”. The conditions were rough on the steamship, but they arrived in New York City about a month later.

The family made their way to Friend, NE where they lived until 1885. At that time, they moved out west and built a sod house in the Kowanda area. The sod house had a barn attached to the kitchen end of it. Jep’s mother would sweep the floor of the house each morning, and she would sweep the floor of the barn too! One day, a cantankerous mule kicked a hole in the wall, right into the pantry!

Jep married May Bruen in 1901. They lived in Chappell where Jep ran a livery barn until 1903. They then moved to the tableland south of Oshkosh. In 1915, Jep purchased a quarter of land approximately 1 1/2 miles north of the Kowanda Church. He bought it from his sister and brother in-law, and it is still in the Paulsen family today.

Jep continued to own this land until 1941 when it was inherited by his son, Glen. Glen was a great steward of the land and raised many bushels of wheat over the years. After Glen’s passing, the land was acquired by his son, Robert. Like his father and grandfather, Robert took great care of the land and continued to raise wheat as well as feed crops. In December 2020, Robert passed away, and the land is currently owned by his widow, Wanda. Helping Wanda farm the land are her daughter, Karla; her son-in-law, Doug; her grandchildren Logan and Jaden; as well as Logan’s wife, Megan. Karla is the great-granddaughter of Jep. Logan and Jaden are his great-great-grandchildren, making them the fifth generation of this family to farm this land.