Farmer celebrates 80th birthday with 51 tractors

BENNINGTON, Neb. (WOWT/Gray News) – A farmer in Nebraska celebrated his 80th birthday in a unique way – with a display of over 50 tractors on his family farm.

The Dreessen Family is the epitome of a cornhusker.

“We farm together, and Taylor is going to take over when I kick the bucket,” said Wayne Dreesson who turned 80 this year.

Four generations are farmers: grandfather Wayne, son Tim, grandson and Taylor. Little one Toby, just 1.5 years old and Wayne’s great-grandson, already loves tractors.

The farming tradition started with Wayne Dreessen’s father, who died just a few days before Wayne’s high school graduation, so he took over the farm.

“I went 10 days and bought a new tractor. Then everybody was happy,” Wayne said.

From that tractor he bought in high school to 51 now deep now, he’s built a fleet for farming and a family for tradition.

Tractors have come a long way since 1939, which is the oldest in Dreessen’s fleet.

“(We) sent Taylor to school to learn diesel mechanics,” Wayne said.

That we he can help fix any troubles that come along with the equipment, for free his dad jokingly added.

For Wayne’s 80th birthday, the family is privately displaying all their tractors on their family farm in Bennington for friends and family. It’s the embodiment of a Nebraska birthday party.

Together, the Dreessen farm is 1,700 acres of corn and soybeans. A harvest that turns into anything from ethanol to taco shells.

Copyright 2024 WOWT via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.