California Earthquake Nets Long Time Nebraska Farmers

In April 1906, the ground shook like never before in the San Francisco area when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devistated northern California, affecting thousands. Not many realize it, but that earthquake would also have an impact on western Nebraska as well.

For as John William Hyde and his family recovered from the "big one," Hyde vowed it would be the last earthquake his family would go through. So Hyde packed up his wife Elanor and five children, looking to find a place where he could find land at the best price possible.

The Hyde clan came to rest in the Panhandle and in 1918, John purchased 320 acres for $25 per acre in the vicinity of the Wyerts Community northeast of Sidney. Joining him as a new Nebraska farmer was his sister Mae, who at the same time started a dairy farm in the area.

The operations grew and flourished. This week, during the rodeo at the Cheyenne County Fair, Hyde's grandchildren were recognized as the family was presented with the 2018 Nebraska Pioneer Farm from the AKSARBEN Foundation, marking the family farm's 100 years of continuous ownership. Family members received two awards, on behalf of Hyde Agri Farms, LLC, and Hyde, LLC.

The significance of the event was not lost on the Cheyenne County crowd, which showed appreciation for the family and its efforts. But one show of appreciation for the accomplishment was especially cherished by Dean Hyde of Hyde, LLC. Upon learning the family was being recognized, the granddaughter of the man who sold John Hyde his first piece of land, and with whom he has remained in touch with, sent Dean a message, which read in part, "always I have loved the land and the production of wheat in particular as you do," Marge Curtiss wrote.

"Certainly, we as farmers, both fully understand the vagaries of weather and economics and their influence on farming as a way of life, not just an occupation and will be forever tied to it without regret not wishing to escape it even when opportunity knocked.

"I'm very proud of you Dean Hyde! Congratulations to you and your family, Dean, for your dedication to your farm (and ours) and to growing for the world."

The Hyde farms were among 138 honorees in by AKSARBEN Foundation, along with Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers 2018 Nebraska Pioneer Farm and Nebraska Heritage Farm Awards. (Heritage Awards are presented to families who have owned land 150 years.)

Since its inception in 1956, nearly 10,000 farm families statewide have received the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award. The Nebraska Heritage Farm Award, established in 2014, has been awarded to nearly 75 farm families. "We look forward to recognizing and awarding these Nebraska farm families each year. The dedication and perseverance demonstrated by these families is a testament to the strong Nebraska values that set our state apart and have been making AKSARBEN proud, for over 120 years," said Sandra Reding, President.