Pfister/Trout Families Proud of 125-Year Commitment to Family Farm

“We are deeply honored and grateful to receive the Pioneer Farm Family Award,” said Carla Trout, who with her husband Eric, will receive the Knights of AkSarBen Pioneer Farm Family Award at the Johnson County Fair on Sunday night, August 16, in front of the grandstand at about 5:45 p.m.
“To us, this award represents much more than owning land. It recognizes the dedication, perseverance, sacrifices, and faith of each generation who cared for this farm through good years and difficult ones,” Carla said. “Receiving this award is truly a tribute to everyone who came before us. We are thankful for the opportunity to continue their legacy and hope to leave this farm in even better condition for those who will follow.”
The 160-acre farm has been in Pfister/Trout family for 125 years. The farm is located approximately eight miles southwest of Tecumseh, Nebraska (SE ¼ Section 10-4-10) in what has always been known as Maple Grove area. The Pfister and Trout familes have farmed this quarter continuously since 1901.
John Sr. and Elizabeth Pfister purchased the property in 1901. They were born in Muri, Switzerland and came to the United States on a boat with their 7 children in 1891. Frederick Pfister Sr., took ownership in 1920 after marrying Marie Seekle. When he passed away in 1933 at the age of 67, he left behind his wife, Marie, and two young sons, Julius (11) and Fred (10). During the difficult years of the Great Depression, they became the "men of the house," learning responsibility, perseverance, and the value of hard work at an early age.
In 1941, Julius Pfister and his wife, Annabelle, and Fredrick Pfister, Jr., purchased the property. Julius and Annabelle raised their children on the farm, including Carla. Carla and Eric took over the farm in 2012 after Julius, Fred, and Annabell had all passed. Carla and Eric raised their children Patrick and Kate on the farm.
“It was important to us to continue caring for the family farm and preserve it for future generations,” said Carla. Eric and Carla's son Patrick represents the fifth generation to continue the farming legacy and Patrick’s sons, Marshall and Miles Trout, are the sixth generation to be raised on a farm.
Julius and Fred Pfister were always looking ahead and improving the farm. Some of their major improvements included building a farrowing house for raising hogs; drilling an irrigation well and installing a center pivot irrigation system, believed to have been the first pivot south of Highway 136 in this area at the time; and constructing cattle lots to expand the livestock operation. The Pfister Brothers Black Angus herd began with the purchase of their first Black Angus bull from Albert Bartels of Sterling.
For decades, family members have proudly shown Black Angus cattle at the Johnson County Fair. “One of our treasured memories is that Eric and I competed against each other every year in the Angus show ring. Eric came from the registered Black Angus herd of Bart and Dianne Trout, so we were friendly rivals before we were married,” said Carla.
Another unique part of the farm's history was the Maple Grove baseball field, which Julius and Fred helped establish on the hill west of their home. Local teams gathered there for many years, including Fred Pfister playing catcher, Julius Pfister playing third base and outfield, John Leuenberger pitching, and Fred Leuenberger playing various positions. The baseball games moved into Tecumseh in the 1960s.
“Since acquiring the farm in 2012, we have continued the tradition of improving and caring for the land with the goal of leaving it better for future generations. We believe we are not simply owners of the land—we are its stewards,” Carla said.
Over the years, Eric and Carla have implemented numerous conservation practices to protect the farm's natural resources. Terraces were installed to reduce soil erosion and improve water management, and no-till and cover crop farming practices help preserve soil structure, reduce erosion, conserve moisture, increase organic matter, and improve long-term soil health. “These sustainable practices allow us to remain productive while protecting the land for future generations,” said Carla.
In 2013, Eric and Carla built their current home on the original farmstead. “The original farmhouse served several generations before being replaced,” said Carla. The farm has always been the center of the Pfister/Trout family's celebrations.
“The family tree still stands today and remains one of the most treasured places on the farm. My brothers, sisters, and I played there growing up, our children played there, and today our grandchildren continue that tradition. It has become a symbol of the generations that have called this farm home,” continued Carla. “Both of our grandsons, Marshall and Miles Trout, were baptized beneath the family tree by Pastor Eric Beihl.”
“Over the past 125 years, this farm has weathered the hardships of the Dirty Thirties, droughts, floods, blizzards and snowstorms, hailstorms, changing markets, economic downturns, rising input costs, health and family hardships, and the many uncertainties that come with agriculture. Through every challenge, each generation adapted, persevered, and found a way to move forward. We hope this farm continues to be a place where faith, family, hard work, stewardship, and tradition come together.”