BENNINGTON, Nebraska (WOWT/Gray News) – A Nebraska farmer 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 corn sheller.
“We run the farm together and Taylor will take over when I die,” said Wayne Dreesson, who turned 80 this year.
Four generations are farmers: grandfather Wayne, son Tim, grandson and Taylor. Little Toby, just 1.5 years old and Wayne’s great-grandson, already loves tractors.
The farming tradition began with Wayne Dreessen’s father, who died just days before Wayne graduated from high school, and so he took over the farm.
“I was there for ten days and bought a new tractor. After that, everyone was happy,” said Wayne.
From the tractor he bought when he was in school to the 51 tractors he has today, he has built a fleet for farming and a family for tradition.
Tractors have come a long way since 1939, the oldest tractor in the Dreessen fleet.
“(We) sent Taylor to school to learn diesel mechanics,” Wayne said.
“We can help him fix any problems that come with the equipment for free,” his father added jokingly.
For Wayne’s 80th birthday, the family puts all of their tractors on display for friends and family on their family farm in Bennington. It’s the epitome of a Nebraska birthday party.
In total, the Dreessen farm includes 1,700 acres of corn and soybeans, a crop that is used to make everything from ethanol to taco shells.
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