Alvin and Geraldine Barta of Hemingford were honored Wednesday night at the Box Butte County Fair with the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award.

They received the recognition from the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben, Box Butte County Farm Bureau and Box Butte County Agricultural Society for maintaining family ownership of agricultural land since Louis Barta purchased 800 acres on November 7, 1914.

His grandson, Alvin Barta, assumed ownership in 1950, married Geraldine Freimuth in 1951 and began operation of the dryland farming operation where they still raise wheat and corn.

The Bartas were joined in the award ceremony by daughters Darlene Smith and Cathy Jacobs, both of Lincoln, and son Rich and his wife, Colleen, of Raymond. Rich manages the family farm in addition to his own land in Box Butte County.

The heritage of Nebraska farmers and ranchers is saluted annually by the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben and Nebraska Farm Bureau. Arlee and Betty Phillips, Ak-Sar-Ben Ambassadors of Hemingford and Mary Crawford of Box Butte County Farm Bureau made the presentation during the Queen Contest of the 90th annual fair.