History of FARM ......

The Farm And Ranch Museum, founded in 1988, is a locally funded, all volunteer organization dedicated to preserving and interpreting the agricultural heritage of the High Plains.  In March of 1997, the 110-acre farm where the museum is located was purchased, and initial museum displays were developed in what is now our work shop building.
Realizing the need to expand and grow, we contracted for a new exhibit building in September of 2000 and this 12,000 sq. ft. building was completed by the fall of 2001. We received the Outstanding Rural Development Initiative Award for 2000 presented by the Nebraska Rural Development Commission.  Displays in this building have been developed to interpret regional agriculture with a special emphasis on:

• Ranching and the Livestock Industry

• Irrigation

• Conservation Tillage and Dryland Farming

• Sugar Beet Industry

• Dry Edible Beans

• Potatoes

• Corn; Small Grains

In 2004, a 1930s farmstead was moved to the site and will be developed to show the transition from the use of horse drawn machinery to tractor power and the coming of electricity to the farm.

Since 1997 the Farm And Ranch Museum has hosted a two-day educational program for regional 4th grade students called FARMhands-on-history.  Each year about 600 students have come for this experience.
Harvest Festival is held the third full weekend of September for two days. Everyone enjoys the agricultural displays and the living history demonstration farming. About 2000 attended this years festival.

The High Plains Christmas is yet another of our fun activities to bring local people to the museum to help keep in their minds the FARM as a place to bring their out of town visitors.
Our annual fundraising events include the Bandana Benefit Ball and the KNEB Hole-in-One.
In 2006 the Longhorns Along the Old Oregon Trail and the appearance of the Budweiser Clydesdales drew large crowds of people to the FARM.

We have an extensive library of agricultural books, manuals and pamphlets, and archives of local agricultural businesses such as Lockwood, Great Western Sugar, Sishcs Foundry and Dutton Implement.  As the library/archives is developed, historical researchers from near and far will come to use it. Our video/DVD called, Farming in Western Nebraska 1938-1945,was produced with assistance from the Nebraska Humanities Council. It has been shown on the History Channel.  The Farm And Ranch Photo Book was produced in conjunction with the Star Herald.

Construction of the visitors center addition to the exhibit building began in June of 2007 and was opened in February of 2008.  

Upcoming Events

Blacksmith Shop Opens
April 30 2011

Oregon Trial Tractor Ride
June 25 2011

German Russian Dutch Hop Polka Tradition
June 25 2011

FARMhands-on-history
September 7-8 2011

2011 Harvest Festival
September 17-18 2011

John Conlee Concert
September 18 2011

Kiwanis Family Fun Day
October 1 2011

High Plans Christmas
December 3 2011

Bandanna Benefit Ball
January 21 2011

Contact and Follow Us!

Farm and Ranch Museum
2930 Old Oregon Trail
Gering, NE 69341
Phone: 308-436-1989